| Abstrakt: |
Professional organizations recommend the practice of monthly breast self‐examination (BSE), and examination of the breasts by a health care provider every three years for women up to the age of 40 and annually thereafter. These practices were examined in a randomly selected sample of 1454 women. Only 39% (95% confidence interval [CI], 36%–42%) of the sample reported monthly BSE. Women were more likely to examine their breasts each month if they had found a breast lump, believed they were likely to get breast cancer, were not single, or were frequent users of general practitioners. Only 51% (95% CI, 45%–53%) of women under the age of 40 reported receiving three‐yearly breast examinations; of those women aged 40 or more, 31% (CI, 27%–35%) of those with no additional risk factors and 35% (95% CI, 27%–42%) of those with at least one additional risk factor reported annual examinations. Women were more likely to have received a breast examination in the past three years if they had previously had a breast lump, were not single, had reached a higher educational level, were more frequent users of general practitioners, had private health insurance, or were described as other than ill or retired. There was a substantial association between BSE and breast examination by a health care provider with 25% (95% CI, 23%–27%) practising BSE and being screened by a health care provider. Thirty‐five per cent (95% CI, 32%–38%) of women were not being screened by either method. The implications of the results for health education campaigns are discussed. |
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