Comparison of knowledge and practice of breast self examination (bse) through over 40 years old women referred by and nurses working in bolu family health centers

The aim of this descriptive study is to determine over 40 years old women and nurse?s knowledge and practice of BSE.Sample of the study is composed of over 40 years old women (n=252) and nurses (n=29) working in 7 family health centers in Bolu. The data is obtained from face to face interviews among september 2007 and january 2008 and is analysed with descriptive statistical tests like percentage and standart deviation.The average age of women is calculated as 54.7 ± 11.2 years (40- 85) ages, It is determined that most (%39.6) of women ara between 40-49 years old, (%64.3) are literate or graduated from elementary school, (%88.9) most of them are housewives, (%82.5) are middle or high class, (%44.5) have social insurance and (%75.4) are married.Most of women (%65,1) are to be aware of BSE, (%56.7) most of them are to be aware of BSE from family health centers, most of them (%78,6) declared the necessity of breast examination by physcians, (%40,1) have no knowledge about BSE frequency, (%45.2) have no knowledge about diagnostic mammography and (%56.7) dont know BSE.Most of women (%57.9) had no BSE and most of women who are self examining their breast (%54.0) are between 36 and 45 years old and hadn?t examined their breasts correctly.The average age of nurses are calculated as 30.3 ± 3.2 years (26 ? 38) ages, most of nurses (%48.3) are between 26 and 30 years old, (%48.3) are graduated from health high schools, (%58.6) are working 3-9 years and (%82.8) are married. Almost all of nurses (%93.1) are self examining their breast, (%66.5) examining their breast since 4 years. Most of nurses (%70.3) are examining their breast after a week from menarche with the true technic.For public comprehension and their self preventive health behaviour; vocational education for nurses and public meetings and educations are suggested.Key Words: Breast cancer, prevention, women, breast self examination (BSE).