BREAST-CANCER DETECTION BY DAUGHTERS OF WOMEN WITH BREAST-CANCER

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine die frequency of breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination, and mammography of adult daughters of women with breast cancer. Additionally, the rela tionships among frequency of self-examination, clinical examination, p erceived risk, fear of breast cancer, and frequency of talking with th eir mothers about breast cancer were assessed. METHODS: A retrospectiv e, correlational descriptive design was used. Questionnaires were mail ed to members of a breast cancer support group and to women diagnosed with breast cancer in one medical oncology practice. These women were asked to mail the questionnaires to their adult daughters. RESULTS: Th ere was a significant relationship between frequency of BSE and freque ncy of talking with mothers about breast cancer. Frequency of self-exa mination was related inversely to fear of breast cancer,Fear of breast cancer appears to act as a barrier to action whereas frequency of tal king with their mothers about breast cancer seems to act as a cue to a ction in support of the Health Belief Model. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: He althcare providers should make every effort to optimize the practice o f BSE in daughters of women with breast cancer. Only 52% reported perf orming BSE monthly, with the remaining 48% performing BSE less frequen tly or not at all. Thirty-one percent reported having no formal or pri nted instruction regarding BSE. Health professionals caring for women who have a family history of breast cancer should assess the education al needs of these women and protide opportunities for them to acquire and demonstrate skills. Periodic re-evaluation of BSE is needed to rei nforce importance and demonstrate technique. The development of educat ional materials developed specifically for daughters of women with bre ast cancer may be useful in diminishing the perception of an unrealist ically high risk of developing breast cancer. With the decrease in fea r, which appears to be acting as a barrier to BSE in this group, bette r breast cancer detection practices in daughters may be realized. Coun seling about realistic risk of developing breast cancer also maybe use ful in reducing the amount of fear of breast cancer hi these women. Th is is an unnecessary burden for any woman to bear and may interfere wi th her optimal practice of breast cancer detection practices.