Based on Kim Witte's proven Extended Parallel Process Model, a mobile communication system was developed in which men were sent reminders about their health. This study focused on reminding men about testicular self-examination (TSE), a proactive behavior used to detect testicular cancer, through the use of text messaging. A cohort of 75 men were recruited for this study and placed into one of four groups. All participants were provided with information concerning TSE and told to perform the exam monthly; two of the four groups were sent reminders via text message while the other two groups were told once about the behavior. An original 30-item survey was used to measure intention. Proper data analysis could not be performed due to an attrition rate of 71%. Nonetheless, a significant relationship was observed between pre- and post-test adherence as reported by the participants. In addition, the measurement tool was assessed and determined to be useful in measuring intention to perform TSE. Internal consistency measures were reported as 0.672 and 0.626, both of which would have been higher with a larger sample size. While further research and analysis is recommended, this study has laid a foundation for a way to communicate with young men about their health.

Text in English / Monthly breast self-examination (BSE) is an extremely important part of health care for all women in every stage of life as a primary tool in the prevention of breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge and practice of BSE among women at a private clinic in Zimbabwe. A non-experimental cross-sectional descriptive research design was used. The accessible population was one hundred women admitted to the selected private clinic. Data collection was done using a questionnaire which consisted of three parts: socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge about BSE and practices of BSE. Data obtained was analysed using EPI INFO version 3.3.2. Results showed that respondents were knowledgeable about breast cancer early warning signs and symptoms and BSE. About 28% of the respondents were aware of when to initiate BSE and 74% performed BSE, but their practice was poor. Educational materials should be freely available at hospitals and schools to enhance BSE awareness. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Five Tucson, Arizona, mothers of adolescent daughters participated in exploratory, descriptive nursing research employing ethnographic interviews during July, 1987, to determine what cultural knowledge informs the behaviors of mothers as they enculturate their daughters regarding Breast Self-Examination (BSE). Five major taxonomies of cultural knowledge emerged: "Caring For Yourself Means Surviving As A Species"; "Being Unsure, Thinking 'Why Bother?'   "; "It Can't Happen To Me"; "If I Don't Know About It, It Isn't There"; and "It's Unnatural To Touch Yourself." Six pairs of conflicting cultural themes both presented BSE as a self-care means to promote human-species survival and simultaneously accounted for women's BSE non-compliance via their uncertainty over BSE techniques, sense of invulnerability to cancer, fear of uncovering disease, and unease with their own bodies. Nursing intervention should reinforce positive cultural knowledge about the female breasts which could be communicated by mothers to their daughters along with procedural knowledge in promoting BSE practice.

Each year more than 44,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 12,000 of these die from the disease. These mortality rates are relatively high compared to the rest of Europe (Berrino et al., 2007; Mayor, 2003), which in part is due to the advanced stage of the disease at first presentation (McCready et al., 2005; Sant et al., 2003). Regular breast self-examination (BSE) can facilitate early detection (Cancer Research UK, 2008), yet it is not widespread. Identifying the motivational and contextual factors is likely to lead to the development of effective interventions as part of being ‘breast-aware’. This is particularly important given that mammography screening may not be effective (Crossing & Mansezewicz, 2003) or recommended for younger women (Cancer Research UK, 2008) and that BSE may be beneficial in offering women the opportunity to create a positive relationship with their body. This study considered the utility of a proposed Extended Health Belief Model (E-HBM) as a framework for understanding women’s knowledge, beliefs and behaviour. It sought to develop a new way to provide guidance and to encourage BSE by investigating the effect of autobiographical accounts of breast-cancer patients and a multimedia BSE support programme comparing video-enhanced or static guided instructions. The study adopted a 2x2 mixed methods design and 60 white British women aged between 19 and 67 participated. Analysis of Covariance revealed an interaction effect of autobiographical accounts and BSE support on BSE frequency and proficiency and regression analyses examined the utility of the E-HBM, with confidence being the main predictor. Moreover, thematic analysis elicited five themes; Previous Experience, BSE Irregularity, Perceived Susceptibility, Coping Style and The Usability of the 5 Step Model of BSE. The study concludes that the 5-step technique encourages BSE through creating a more pleasant experience, as women form an improved relationship with their breasts. Both the video-enhanced and static BSE supports are effective in terms of encouraging BSE and the effect of autobiographical accounts appears to be dependent on the type support. The practical implications and direction for future BSE interventions are discussed.

by Suk-yee Fung. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-107). / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgement --- p.ii / Table of Contents --- p.iii / List of Tables --- p.v / List of Figures --- p.vii / List of Appendices --- p.viii / Chapter Chapter I - --- Introduction --- p.1 / Introduction --- p.1 / Epidemiology of Breast Cancer --- p.2 / The Aetiology of Breast Cancer --- p.4 / Prognosis --- p.4 / Effects of Breast Cancer --- p.5 / Management of Breast Cancer --- p.6 / Prevention and Early Detection of Breast Cancer --- p.8 / Theoretical Framework --- p.18 / Chapter Chapter II - --- Method --- p.39 / Research Design --- p.39 / Sample --- p.40 / Measures --- p.41 / Procedure --- p.48 / Data Analysis --- p.49 / Chapter Chapter III - --- Results --- p.50 / Chapter 1 --- Sample Characteristics --- p.50 / Chapter 1.1 --- Demographic profile --- p.50 / Chapter 1.2 --- Medical history and health practices --- p.52 / Chapter 1.3 --- Health status and health values --- p.53 / Chapter 1.4 --- Knowledge of breast cancer --- p.54 / Chapter 1.5 --- Attitudes toward breast cancer --- p.55 / Chapter 2 --- Breast Self-Examination Practices --- p.57 / Chapter 3 --- Social Influence on Breast Self-Examination Practices --- p.60 / Chapter 4 --- Health Belief Model Measures --- p.61 / Chapter 5 --- Comparison of Practicers and Non-practicers --- p.62 / Chapter 6 --- Predictors of breast self-examination practices --- p.67 / Chapter 6.1 --- Practicers vs Non-practicers --- p.67 / Chapter 6.2 --- Frequency of breast self-examination --- p.70 / Chapter 6.3 --- Breast self-examination intention --- p.75 / Chapter Chapter IV - --- Discussion & Conclusions --- p.77 / Discussion --- p.77 / Conclusions --- p.93 / References --- p.95 / Appendices --- p.108

Bakgrund I Sverige ökar antalet insjuknanden i bröstcancer årligen. Diagnostisering med hjälp av mammografi och självundersökning bidrar till tidig upptäckt av cancertumörer vilket ger bättre prognos. För att alla kvinnor ska självundersöka brösten och gå på erbjuden mammografi är kunskap om bröstcancer en god förutsättning. Syfte Syftet med denna forskningsstudie var att undersöka kvinnors kunskap om bröstcancer och självundersökning av brösten. Syftet var också att undersöka huruvida sådan kunskap skiljer sig mellan kvinnor i och utanför det nationella screeningsprogrammet för bröstcancer samt huruvida det finns en skillnad i förekomst av självundersökning. Hänsyn togs även till de eventuella faktorer i kvinnornas bakgrund och vanor som kan ha en inverkan på resultatet. Metod En empirisk studie med kvantitativ ansats. Datainsamling genomfördes via enkäter, vilka besvarades av 130 kvinnliga deltagare. Enkäterna syftade till att undersöka kvinnornas vanor kring självundersökning och mammografi, demografisk bakgrund samt kunskap om bröstcancer. Resultat Resultatet av kunskapstestet visar att kvinnor har god kunskap om bröstcancer och självundersökning då över 80% av kvinnorna svarade rätt på 10 av 14 frågor. En signifikant skillnad i kunskapen mellan de två grupperna kunde ses i en fråga. Fler kvinnor i screeninggruppen än utanför screeninggruppen som utfört självundersökning av brösten. Flera faktorer i kvinnornas bakgrund och vanor hade en påverkan på kunskapen. Slutsats Kunskapen om bröstcancer bland deltagarna i studien var god. Kunskapen mellan kvinnor i och utanför screeningprogrammet skilde sig i få områden. Förekomsten av självundersökning var högre av kvinnor som erhållit undervisning från skola och/eller sjukvård. Därav behövs fortsatt utbildning inom det aktuella området för att främja kvinnors hälsa. / Background In Sweden and the number of breast cancer diagnosis is increasing annually. Diagnosis using mammography and breast self-examination contributes to the early detection of cancerous tumors, which gives a better prognosis. In order to get all women to self-examine their breasts and to get the offered mammography, knowledge about breast cancer is a good precondition. Aim The purpose of this research study was to investigate women's knowledge about breast health and breast self-examination. The aim was also to investigate whether such knowledge differ between women in and outside the national screening program for breast cancer and whether there is a difference in the incidence of self- examination. Consideration was also taken of the potential factors in the women's background and habits that may have an impact on earnings. Methods An empirical study with a quantitative approach. Data collection was conducted through questionnaires, which were answered by an amount of 130 female participants. The questionnaires aimed to investigate women's habits related to self- examination and mammography, demographic background and knowledge of breast cancer. Results The results of the knowledge test shows that women have a good knowledge about breast cancer and self-examination, since over 80% of women answered correctly in 10 out of 14 questions. A significant difference in knowledge between the two groups was seen in a query. There were more women in the screening group than in the non-screening group who performed breast self-examination. Several factors in women's history and habits had an influence on their knowledge. Conclusion Knowledge about breast health among the study participants was overall good. The knowledge among women in and outside the screening program differed in few areas. The prevalence of self-examination was higher among women who received instruction from school and/or medical care. Therefore continued education within the area is necessary in order to promote women's health.

This dissertation formulates and describes a type of thinking called critical-reflective thinking. Examples of critical-reflective thinking appear in the works of many major Western philosophical figures, including the main thinkers considered here, Plato, Martin Heidegger, Hannah Arendt, and Henry David Thoreau. Although this list of thinkers is eclectic, these philosophers come together in describing a common phenomenon, although they do not thematically designate or explain it. Their works illustrate a type of thinking in which people are invited by prompting events to consider their presuppositions—notions they have taken as true without prior consideration. I have deemed this phenomenon “critical-reflective thinking” to emphasize its dimensions of self-reflection and critical consideration. By exploring examples from the works of the authors listed above (among others, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Hans-Georg Gadamer, and Elaine Scarry), I formulate critical-reflective thinking as a specific phenomenon. In Chapter One, I formulate this important type of human thought by describing its occurrence, especially the invitation of the prompt and the disclosure and examination of presuppositions. In Chapter Two, this dissertation explicates the value of taking part in this type of thinking. Since critical-reflective thinking allows people to consider previously unreflective aspects of their understanding (i.e. presuppositions), by taking part in critical-reflective thinking, people stand to grow in self-awareness and become liberated to new possible ways of seeing the world and going about life. Given the value of such growth and liberation, it is important to explore how humans can develop the practice critical-reflective thinking. Chapter Three explores strategies for cultivating critical-reflective thinking. Plato, Heidegger, Arendt, and Thoreau suggest five such strategies: spending time in solitude, taking leisure, developing an open attitude, practicing wakeful attentiveness, and acquire virtues such as humility, courage, and fortitude. Formulating and exploring the phenomenon of critical-reflective thinking not only provides a theory of a type of thinking, but also describes an important aspect of human experience. This dissertation encourages readers to consider their own experiences of thinking. It also poses the challenge of leading a more examined life by critically-reflecting on notions we often take as given.

Thesis (MTech (Nursing))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015. / The most common cancer in women worldwide is breast cancer. It is also the leading cancer affecting women in South Africa. When breast cancer is detected early, it improves the outcome of the disease and reduces mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, beliefs, attitude and practice of breast self-examination among female university students. The objectives were, to explore the levels of knowledge of female university students on breast cancer and breast self-examination; to ascertain the beliefs of female university students on breast cancer and breast self-examination; to examine the attitudes of female university students toward breast cancer and breast self-examination and to determine if female university students regularly practice breast self-examination. A Mixed method descriptive design was used for this study. The selected site for this study was a higher education institution in the Western Cape. The population included all female university students in the Western Cape. The sample was female university students studying in the selected higher education institution who reside on the institution’s campus. Convenience sampling was used to select the sample. Two methods were used to collect data; these were questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Questionnaires were analysed by the use of Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Frequency Distribution was used to analyse descriptive statistics. Interviews were transcribed and analysed by using coding and thematic analysis. Participants lacked knowledge on breast cancer risk factors, as majority of them only knew about family history being a risk factor. Majority of the participants had never been educated by their healthcare provider on breast cancer and its screening. Most of the participants had never examined their breast before. Most of the participants who did not examine their breast did not have any knowledge on how to do BSE. Education on breast cancer and cancer as a whole should be initiated in high schools and higher institutions of learning as part of their curriculum. Posters on breast cancer screening and breast self-examination should be put up at public places and campuses. Breast awareness campaigns must be done every month not only in October which is the breast cancer awareness month. Health care professionals should give information on breast cancer to women when they visit the hospital or health centre

FundaÃÃo de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Cearà / O cÃncer de mama à uma patologia de incidÃncia crescente, tanto nos paÃses desenvolvidos quanto nos paÃses em desenvolvimento, parecendo estarem suas causas relacionadas ao estilo de vida moderna, de difÃcil controle. Neste contexto, os esforÃos sÃo dirigidos à prevenÃÃo secundÃria, no sentido de diagnosticar cada vez precocemente os tumores, com vistas a evitar maiores mutilaÃÃes e assegurar longa sobrevida e qualidade de vida para as mulheres acometidas por este tipo de neoplasia. Entre os mÃtodos de detecÃÃo precoce que vinham sendo recomendados pelo Instituto Nacional do CÃncer, atà o lanÃamento do Consenso para Controle do CÃncer de Mama, em abril de 2004, o auto-exame das mamas â AEM ocupava lugar de destaque, ao lado do exame mÃdico e da mamografia. Contudo, as pesquisas indicam a dificuldade de adesÃo das mulheres a este tipo de exame, apesar de ser uma tÃcnica indolor, rÃpida e gratuita. O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender os aspectos psicossociais envolvidos na prÃtica do auto-exame das mamas, no intuito de oferecer subsÃdios para as prÃticas preventivas em cÃncer de mama. Para a realizaÃÃo deste estudo, utilizamos a Epistemologia Qualitativa, Gonzalez Rey (2002), a qual se embasa no MÃtodo DialÃtico e compreende ser a quantidade e a qualidade dos fatos inseparÃveis e interdependentes. Nesta perspectiva, nosso estudo contemplou tanto a realidade estruturada por meio dos nÃmeros quanto os aspectos qualitativos. Desenvolvemos um estudo transversal, de base populacional, com 561 mulheres no municÃpio de Sobral-CE, como tambÃm entrevistamos treze mulheres, consideradas informantes-chave para o estudo, e realizamos uma reuniÃo de grupo com mulheres mastectomizadas. O processo de construÃÃo de informaÃÃes permitiu a identificaÃÃo de seis focos temÃticos: 1. Conhecimento e freqÃÃncia da prÃtica do auto-exame das mamas e variÃveis correlacionadas; 2. Significados atribuÃdos e sentidos produzidos sobre o AEM; 3. MotivaÃÃo para a prÃtica do AEM; 4. Entendendo a resistÃncia para a prÃtica do AEM; 5. Discursos e sentidos presentes nas aÃÃes educativas; 6. Repensando as prÃticas preventivas em cÃncer de mama. A articulaÃÃo destes focos temÃticos permitiu- nos tecer reflexÃes acerca da representaÃÃo social do cÃncer de mama em nossa sociedade, que influencia sobremaneira a aceitaÃÃo do auto-exame de mamas. Isto porque referida tÃcnica vinha sendo trabalhada como forma de identificar alteraÃÃo nas mamas, associada ao cÃncer de mama, exacerbando o temor da existÃncia deste nas mulheres. ConcluÃmos que o auto-exame das mamas, ao contrÃrio do postulado por muitos, nÃo à uma tÃcnica simples de ser realizada, pressupondo capacidade de enfrentamento, pois, ao fazer o auto-exame, a mulher depara-se com uma situaÃÃo, na qual, de forma solitÃria, pode encontrar algo que ela considera ser maligno. Esta expectativa da mulher à fruto das prÃticas discursivas dominantes sobre o auto-exame e sobre o cÃncer de mama. ConcluÃmos, ainda, existir conhecimento suficiente sobre a etiologia do cÃncer de mama capaz de orientar aÃÃes no sentido da prevenÃÃo primÃria desta patologia, se compreendermos ser o adoecimento um processo complexo a envolver aspectos fÃsicos, psicolÃgicos, sociais e ambientais. / The breast cancer is a pathology that has crescent incidence, in the countries of higher degree of development like in the countries in development. There are evidences that its causes seem to have relation to modern life style, of difficult control. In this context, the efforts are direct to secondary prevention, in order to make an early diagnosis of tumors, trying to avoid a great number of mutilations and ensure higher survival and a better quality of life for women with this type of neoplasy. Among of the methods of precocious detection that had been recommended by Cancer National Institute, until the launch of Consensus to the Control of Breast Cancer, in April 2004, the breast self-examinations had prominence of place, beside medical exam and mammography. However, researches show the women are difficult of breast self- examination adhesion, although this is a painless, fast and free technique. The aim of this study was the comprehension of the psicossociais aspects involved in breast self-examination, in order to offer subsidy to prevention practices in breast of cancer. To realization this study, we based on the Qualitative Epistemology, Gonzalez Rey (2002). It is based on Dialectic Method and shows that the quality and quantity of facts are inseparable and interpedent. In this direction, our study pondered either the structure reality through the numbers as the qualitatives aspects. We accomplished a transversal study, of population base, with 561 women in the Sobral city, state of CearÃ, Brazil. 13 women were interviewed. They were considered key â informers for survey. It was made still a group meeting with women who had the breast cancer. The process of the construction of information allowed the identification of six themes: 1. knowledge and frequency of breast self-examination and variable correlated; 2. Imputed meaning and produced sense about breast self-examination; 3. Motivation of the practice breast self-examination; 4. Resistance to practice of the breast self-examination; 5. Talks and insight sense in the education actions; 6. Re-think the preventive practices in breast cancer. Based on the process of information construction, we understand the cancer social representation, which influences the acceptation of breast self-examination. The breast self-examination is associated with breast cancer and this fact increases the fear of women. We conclude that the breast self-examination isnât a simple technique to make. It needs support to find any alteration in breast. We also conclude that there is sufficient knowledge to make primary prevention in breast cancer. It is necessary to understand that the illness process is complex and involves subjective, physics, social and environmental aspects.

Syfte: Syftet med studien är att sammanställa vetenskap om nyttan med att utföra självundersökning av brösten samt utröna vilken roll sjuksköterskan kan ha. Metod: I en litteraturstudie har nio artiklar valts ut och det vetenskapliga värdet har granskats och utav dessa är sju kvantitativa studier och de resterande två litteraturstudier. Resultat: Resultatet visar att självundersökningar av brösten inte reducerar mortaliteten i bröstcancer. Nyttan av självundersökningarna av brösten råder det delade meningar om då de kan leda till en ökad oro och flera läkarbesök. Sjuksköterskan spelar en viktig roll som pedagog och inspiratör. Slutsats: Sannolikt är nyttan av självundersökningar av brösten större i länder med begränsade ekonomiska resurser och avsaknad av screeningprogram jämfört med exempelvis Sverige som idag har ett etablerat nationellt screeningprogram för mammografi. Om evidensbaserad omvårdnad ska tillämpas framkommer det i litteraturstudien att sjuksköterskan bör förespråka bröstmedvetenhet framför självundersökningar av brösten. / Aim: The purpose of this study was to compile resent science about the benefits of performing breast self-examinations and to find out the eventual role of the nurse. Method: In a literature review nine scientific articles were chosen and their scientific value was evaluated. From this evaluation we indentified nine articles, seven of these articles are based on quantitative studies and two of them are a compilation of literature. Results: This study shows that breast self-examination do not reduce mortality in breast cancer. The benefits of breast self-examination is debated, when the research displays that breast self-examination leads to an increased anxiety and increased numbers of doctor appointments. The nurse plays a key role as an educator and a spokesman. Conclusion: It is possible that the benefits of brest self-examinations are greater in a country of limited resources and screening programs, than for instance in Sweden where a national mammography screening is established. If evidenced based care should be applied the results from this study suggests that the nurse should advocate breast awareness instead of breast self-examinations.