Promotion of Breast Self-Examination Behavior among Female Personnels of the Outpatient Department, Srinagarind Hospital

Abstract

Background and objective : Breast cancer is the second  most common female cancers, after cervical cancer, and has progressively increase in incidence.  This cancer could be cured if it is detected at early stages.  One of screening procedures for breast cancer is breast self-examination.  The objective of this study is to determine the previous practice of  breast self-examination and to promote this procedure to female personnel who worked at the  outpatient department of  Srinagarind Hospital.

Methods : This study was an action research. The participants were informed about the study protocol and gave their consent.  Baseline characteristics, an individual practice and skills of breast self-examination were determined.  The participants were then trained about the standard techniques of breast self-examination.  The skill of breast self-examination before and after training were compared.

Results :This study included 64 participants.  Before training, 8 (12.5%) participants had never performed  breast self-examination.  Among 56 (87.5%) participants who had performed  previously, regular breast self-examination was carried out in only 10 (15.6%)  participants. Before training, only one participant could follow the standard examination.  After training, standard techniques of  breast self-examination were successfully performed by all participants.  During follow-up period, almost all of the participants performed regular breast self-examination.

Conclusions : Among female personnel who worked at an outpatient department of Srinagarind Hospital, routine breast self-examination was rarely performed.  After training, standard  techniques of breast self- examination were successfully performed by all participants. During follow-up, almost all of the participants performed regular breast self-examination.

Keyword : Promotion , Breast Self-Examination  Behavior