The effect of breast cancer fear on healthy life awareness behaviors of menopausal women

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE: It is known that one out of every four women in the world is under the threat of breast cancer. With the extension of women's life expectancy, women who are in the period of menopause have an increased risk of breast cancer and this situation may cause fear of breast cancer in women. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of healthy lifestyle behaviors on breast cancer fear, in women who are in period of menopause. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This descriptive type of research was conducted in a public hospital between the dates of November 15, 2021 - November 14, 2022. The sample of the study consisted of 289 women who were in the period of menopause. The "Socio-demographic and Personal Information Form", the "Breast Cancer Fear Scale (BCFS)" and the "Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale II (HLBS-II)" were used in the collection of research data. FINDINGS: The majority of women (42.2%) included in the sample are between the ages of 46-55. While the average BCFS score was 24.97 ± 7.48 (min-max = 8-40), the majority (60.2%) were found to have a high level of breast cancer fear. It was determined that the total score average of HLBS-II was (142.64±20.78), the highest score average of the sub-dimensions was spiritual development (26.84±5.06) and interpersonal relationships (26.45±5.1), while the lowest score average was physical activity (18.8±5.02). In the correlation analysis, a positive sided (r=0.156; p=0.004; p<0.01) statistically significant relationship was found between the BCFS total score and the HLBS-II total score. In the regression analysis, the regression model between health responsibility (p=0.001; p<0.01; Adjusted R2: 0.025), interpersonal relationships (p=0.001; Dec<0.01; Adjusted R2: 0.086), stress management (p=0.001; p<0.01; Adjusted R2: 0.049) and BCFS was found to be significant. In addition, the regression model between HLBS-II and BCFS was found to be significant (p=0.008; p<0.01; Adjusted R2: 0.021). In regression analysis; BCFS, has positive aims on HLBS-II and its sub-objectives.CONCLUSION: As the level of breast cancer fear increases in women who are in the period of menopause, taking health responsibility from healthy lifestyle behaviors, interpersonal relationships, and stress management behavior increase in a positive direction. KEY WORDS: Menopause, Breast Cancer, Fear of Breast Cancer, Nursing, Behaviors of Healthy Lifestyle Awareness.