The effect of risk reduction program applied to women with high breast cancer risk on participation in screening, health beliefs and behavior

Objective: The aim of this study is; to evaluate the effect of the Breast Cancer Risk Reduction Program (BrCaRRP), which consists multiple interventions including education, counseling, case management and surveillance for women with high risk of breast cancer, on women's participation in screenings, health beliefs and risk reduction behaviors. Method: This is a single center, single blind, parallel group, randomized controlled trial. First degree relatives of patients with breast cancer were assigned to the intervention (n=38) and control group (n=39) by stratified and block randomization method. Intervention group was applied BrCaRRP which is based on the theoretical framework of the Health Belief Model and Health Promotion Model. BrCaRRP is a 12-week program that includes six interviews, the first of which is face-to-face and the other interviews are by phone. The routine practice of the clinic was performed by giving an information note to the control group. The primary results of the study (participation in breast cancer screening, health motivation, susceptibility, fear of breast cancer, health responsibility, physical activity, healthy nutrition and status of getting genetic counseling) were measured at the beginning and at 12 weeks. Results: The probability of participation in breast cancer screenings in the BrCaRRP group was 5.11 times higher than in the control group. Health motivation was found to be increased in the intervention group compared to the control group. There was no difference in susceptibility and nutritional behavior between the groups. Health responsibility and physical activity was increased in the intervention group. The frequency of consulting genetic counseling increased in the BrCaRRP group. Conclusion: BrCaRRP increased participation in screening in women with high risk of breast cancer and positively affected their health beliefs and behaviors. Keywords: Relatives of breast cancer patients, breast cancer screening, health beliefs, health behaviors, genetic counseling.