ABSTRACT

To identify level and source of information about breast cancer, and breast health practices of women, ages 40-69, who live in Bahçeşehir/İstanbul.

A population-based, cross-sectional survey. It was carried out in a sample randomly selected from Turkish Statistical Institute’s women list (n=908).

In this study, every 3/4 healthy women knew that BC is the leading cause of mortality from cancer in Turkey. Almost every women ever heard/read about BC, and they know that breast cancer can be diagnosed early with mammography, if women have fi rst degree relative with BC, they have the highest risk and periodic physician visits can prevent from BC. Early-menarche and late-menopause were the least known risk factors. Most frequent information sources were television, newspaper, physician and friend/relative. Contrarily, internet, book, pamphlet/ poster, radio and nurse were the least sources used. For the last 2 years, 49% healthy women had obtained mammography. If the women acknowledged by a physician, visit periodically a gynecologist, do physical exercise regularly, have a friend with BC, more-educated, higher social-class and in ’50-59y, they obtained more mammography, if they get the knowledge from a television or a friend/relative, they obtained less mammography than others. There was not any signifi cant association between BSE and obtaining-mammography practices.

The Bahceeehir study indicated that BC-awareness among the women at risky ages was realized. Turkish women should be informed more in details by the most prevalent information sources; television, newspapers and counseling by competent physicians. It is argued that, the recommended nationally populationbased free mammography screening programs will be successful.