Practice of breast self-examination and knowledge of breast cancer among female university students in Korea

Abstract

This study examined the practice of breast self-examination and knowledge of breast cancer among female university students in Korea. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The participants were 2186 female university students in Korea. The Breast Cancer and Heredity Knowledge Scale was used. The collected data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, χ 2-test, t-test, ANOVA, and logistic regression. Twenty-seven percent of students reported engaging in breast self-examination. The participants displayed a medium-level score (total score: 5.33±2.70, range: 0-11) on knowledge about breast cancer. Predictors for breast self-examination were age (odds ratio=1.15, P<0.001), major (odds ratio=1.80, P<0.001), and knowledge of breast cancer (odds ratio=1.16, P<0.001). This study was the sole nationwide-scale research that examined the practice of breast self-examination, related factors, and knowledge of breast cancer among female university students, as a representative sample of young Korean women. The results are valuable in developing educational programs that can increase knowledge related to breast cancer, as well as the practice of breast self-examination, to support health promotion among young women. © 2012 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.