Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Malaysian women and early detection can play an important role in reducing cancer morbidity and mortality. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the rates and factors related to clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography among 425 female teachers in Selangor, Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire that included questions on socio-demography, cancer-related knowledge and practice and an adapted version of Champion's revised Health Belief Model Scale was employed. The mean age of participants was 37.2 ± 7.16 years. Only 25% of the women ever had a CBE. Of women over the age 40 (n=138), 13.6% reported having had a mammography. The results showed higher susceptibility to breast cancer, higher benefits of doing CBE and regular visits with a physician to be significant predictors for undergoing CBE (p < 0.05). In addition, higher a perceived susceptibility to breast cancer and regular undergoing CBE were significant predictors for having a mammography. The findings clearly suggest a need for improving women's awareness on breast cancer screening, its importance and recommended guidelines.
Study site: Secondary school teachers in Selangor, Malaysia.
* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.