Background/Purpose Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is currently considered the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the U.S. Lifestyle factors are known contributors to rates of breast cancer, and knowledge is essential to its prevention. "Emerging adult" college women offer a vital window of opportunity for intervention, as lifestyle patterns are often established during this time.
Method Utilizing constructs of the Health Belief Model, this cross-sectional, descriptive study examined breast cancer knowledge, beliefs, and screening behaviors of a sample of emerging adult college women (n = 342) in the southeastern U.S. Participants responded to a written, self-report 86-item questionnaire. All analyses were conducted using SASŪ 9.0.
Analysis/Results Results of the study showed participants had a low level of perceived susceptibility towards breast cancer, and relatively low overall breast cancer knowledge. Findings also revealed a significant association between ethnicity, year in school, and family history of breast cancer and participants' general degree of breast cancer-related worry. Of the Health Belief Model constructs, confidence and perceived barriers were found to significantly predict breast self-examination.
Conclusions Health program planners should aim to develop interventions adapted to address the unique needs of emerging adult college women. These interventions should center on enhancing self-efficacy of breast cancer screening and reducing barriers. Education-based programs are needed to increase women's overall knowledge and awareness of breast cancer-related issues. Such strategies have great potential to enhance these women's quality of life and positively influence those with whom they closely interact.