Comparison of breast cancer risk estimations, risk perception, and screening behaviors in obese rural Korean women.

PURPOSE/

OBJECTIVES

To assess three breast cancer risk assessment tools in obese rural Korean women.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey design.

SETTING

Community settings in the rural region of northeastern South Korea.

SAMPLE: A nested cohort sample of 64 severely obese women aged 40-60 years from the Korean Genomic Regional Cohort registry.

METHODS

The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool of the National Cancer Institute (BCRAT-NCI), Breast Cancer Risk Appraisal for Korean Women (BCRA-K), and Estimation of Individualized Probabilities of Developing Breast Cancer for Korean Women (EIPDBC-K) were used for interview data. Mammography, women's perceptions, and screening behaviors also were analyzed.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Breast cancer risk assessment, mammography findings, women's perceptions of breast cancer risk, and breast cancer screening behaviors.

FINDINGS: A total of 5 (BCRAT-NCI), 19 (BCRA-K), and 43 (EIPDBC-K) women were at higher (above average or high) risk for breast cancer. The BCRA-K (r = 0.28, p < 0.05) and EIPDBC-K (r = 0.43, p < 0.001) correlated with mammography findings. However, the BCRAT-NCI correlated only with the BCRA-K. Women's breast self-examination (χ2 = 4.77, p < 0.05) and mammography findings (χ2 = 5.22, p < 0.05) differed according to their risk perception.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk assessment by the BCRA-K and EIPDBC-K was related to mammography findings. Women's perception of breast cancer risk influenced their screening behaviors. When choosing a risk assessment tool, healthcare professionals should consider the ethnic and cultural backgrounds of the target population.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Healthcare professionals should use appropriate risk assessment tools in breast cancer education and counseling to help women understand their risk factors and adopt proper health behaviors.