Adnan Menderes Üniversitesi, Aile Hekimliği, Aydın, Türkiye

Aim: To evaluate the attitude and practice on breast health and determine the barriers to improve breast health among women living in one urban and two semi-urban Aegean counties. Methods: Three hundred and sixty three women between 18-78 years old completed a questionnaire on knowledge, practice and attitude for breast cancer screening. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Self breast examination (SBE), clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography rates of participants were 61.7%, 42.7% and 40.6%, respectively. Of women having mammography, only 48.9% were having it regularly. Mammography performance rate was higher in urban and working women. Major source of knowledge was television. However, participants reporting doctor as a source of knowledge had higher rate of using all breast screening methods. Family history of breast cancer was associated with higher mammography performance. Conclusion: Rates for breast health screening was found to be lower than expected. Lack of knowledge is an important factor about inadequate improvement of breast health. Health professionals should focus on informing and increasing awareness of women for breast health especially in the developing countries, semi-urban and rural areas.