The relationship between breast self-examination (BSE) awareness and demographic factors in women health management

Introduction: Cancer is third leading cause of death in Iran and breast cancer is the most common cause of death in Iranian women. Early diagnosis can lead to effective treatment and improves the patient's quality of life. This study was performed with aim to determine the effect of demographic factors on women's Breast Self-Examination awareness in order to focus education on specific group's population in society women health management. Methods: This is descriptive-analytic and correlational study was performed on 200 women referring to Karaj health care centers in 2015. Data was collected by using a self-made questionnaire about demographic factors (age, economic status and literacy) and interviews to determine the proper awareness about BSE. Data was analyzed by SPSS software (version 16). PResults: Among 200 women with mean age of 35.5±9.7, 97 cases (48.5) were aware of breast self-examination and performed it in correct way and103 (51.5) didn't aware or performed it incorrectly. 29 cases (29.8) of aware women and 68 (52.4) of unaware women were illiterate and semi-literate. There was significant relationship between educational level and breast self-exam awareness (P 0.05). Conclusion: There is a lack of breast self-examination awareness in the Iranian women. For women health management, education to families with lower educational levels may highly effective to early diagnosis and reduce mortality from this disease.