The Effect of BSE Training on Breast Cancer Knowledge Level and Health Beliefs

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of breast cancer and BSE education given to women aged 40 and over using a breast examination simulator on women's breast cancer knowledge levels and health beliefs. Data were collected in the study using the "Personal Information Form, CHAMPION Health Belief Model Scale, Comprehensive Breast Cancer Knowledge Test". A breast cancer education program was applied to the women in the experimental group. The content of the education given to the experimental group was prepared in accordance with the "Breast Cancer Prevention, Screening, Diagnosis, Treatment and Follow-up Clinical Guide 2020 (Version 1.0)" of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey. After the completion of the theoretical education, each woman in the experimental group was given BSE practical training using the "Wearable Breast Examination Simulator" by the first researcher in accordance with the steps in the "Breast Self-Examination" brochure by the "Cancer Early Diagnosis, Screening and Education Center of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey". Then, each woman was provided with the simulator to wear and perform BSE on a model. The application was completed when each woman was able to perform BSE correctly. The success indicator of the practical training was that the woman performed the BSE steps correctly as shown in the brochure and detected at least three tumors in the simulator. The second and third researchers performed the application on the model until each woman in the experimental group performed the procedure steps completely and correctly. The brochure was given to each woman in the experimental group both in print and electronically. A standard reminder message was sent to the experimental group in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd months to perform BSE. Pre-test and post-test data were collected from the control group. No individual in the experimental or control groups was harmed in this study.