Perceptions of threat, benefits, and barriers in breast self-examination amongst young asymptomatic women.

AIM: Young age at diagnosis of breast cancer is a negative prognostic factor, but early detection of breast pathology may improve prognosis. The present study examined the role of health perceptions (Health Belief Model; HBM) in young women's breast self-examination (BSE). It was hypothesized that cues to action, health motivation, and perceptions of threat (vulnerability, severity), benefits, and barriers, will predict BSE, but that threat perceptions will be more powerful predictors than benefits and barriers.
METHOD: Questionnaire data from 178 asymptomatic women (aged 18-35 years) living in the northwestern region of England were analysed.
RESULTS: Using hierarchical logistic regression controlling for demographic factors, only severity and barriers emerged as important predictors; lower perceived seriousness of breast cancer and fewer perceived obstacles to practising BSE predicted performance of BSE. For every unit increment on the severity and barrier scales, the odds of a respondent performing BSE decreased by approximately 8 and 20%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: The results provide qualified support for the HBM. Perceived barriers was the most powerful predictor, although respondents assessed breast-cancer severity based on early detection through BSE. Implications for clinical interventions are considered.