Effect of basic preventive health practices and mass media on the practice of breast self-examination.

To assess factors that affected utilization of breast self-examination in 160 women enrolled in masters degree programs--in nursing and in programs outside of health disciplines--a questionnaire sought information about 1) the relationship between practice of six basic preventive health measures and practice of breast self-examination, and 2) changes which occurred in women's practices of breast self-examination subsequent to the October 1974 mass media coverage of Mrs. Betty Ford's mastectomy. Descriptive data about other factors that influenced women's practice of breast self-examination were obtained. Findings indicated a relationship between positive practice of breast self-examination and positive practices of other preventive health measures in women of health and nonhealth orientation up to 35 years of age and under, but not in those over 35 years of age. Significantly increased breast self-examination practices in women of all ages were reported following Mrs. Ford's mastectomy. Implications favorable to the early detection of breast disease are suggested.