Myths of Breast Cancer and Annual Screenings

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Myths of Breast Cancer and Annual
Screenings Florence Crowley , Junior
(Rehabilitation Studies) Robert Dawson, Assistant
Professor
Subject Demographics
ABSTRACT The National Cancer Institute reports
that in a given year 221,000 women and 1,700 men
will learn they have breast cancer. The early
screening for breast cancer can increase
treatment and survivability rates of person with
this disease. Research from the National Cancer
Coalition supports that persons are not
performing breast cancer screenings due to myths
or fears associated with breast cancer and how it
is acquired. This survey examined persons
awareness of breast cancer and myths related to
its identification and treatment. One hundred
and three persons from Winston-Salem State
University participated in the survey. Although
no significance was found, the results
highlighted areas of inaccuracy in the
identification and treatment of breast cancer.
Self-report on Breast Cancer Awareness Results
of subjects breast cancer awareness level showed
that 26 stated they considered themselves aware,
28 stated they know how to screen for breast
cancer, 10 reported they were active in their
awareness, 3 were unsure on what they knew,
and the majority of persons (31) stated that
they had little knowledge about breast cancer.
Further examination of persons who had little
knowledge of breast cancer found that 81 never
had an exam by a healthcare professional. Reasons
given were 48 "I do not know when I should get
one" and 32 stated they would be too
embarrassed to ask. Although these findings
were not significant, they do seem to show a
trend that may be significant with a larger
population
Breast Cancer Screening Of the 103 persons survey
only 44 reported having had a breast cancer
screening by a healthcare professional.
Self-screening for breast cancer was performed
monthly by only 31 and 7 reported performing
self screening yearly. Examination of screening
by age found no significant difference. Reasons
for not performing self-screening or not having
screening performed by a healthcare professional
are described in the charts below.
Instrument After a review of other surveys and
questionnaires on breast cancer awareness and
myths the researcher determined that no one
survey matched the behavioral objectives needed
for the study. A 25 item survey instrument was
developed by the researcher and tested with 3
students age 17-25 prior to distribution. Given
this is a pilot survey no reliability or validity
measures are available at this time. Sampling
and Analysis of Variables The study was a
convenience sample of persons at Winston-Salem
State University. Subjects were approached by the
researcher and asked if they would like to fill
out a survey on breast cancer awareness. The
initial analysis provided descriptive statistics
for the sample and the subsequent analysis
includes examination of differences between
subjects awareness of breast cancer and active
breast cancer screening. Tests for differences of
variables was conducted using SPSS.

• The Top Five Written Comments
• I heard that deodorants cause breast cancer in
  women.
• Breast cancer always runs in families.
• Men cannot get breast cancer because they dont
  have breasts.
• Breast cancer cannot be cured.
• If girls wear their bras to bed they will get
  breast cancer.

Two questions that looked at the awareness of
subjects in relation to factors that can aid in
the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
Inaccurate perceptions can hinder both the
identification and treatment
Conclusion? Although most persons surveyed
responded that they know the importance of
detecting breast cancer early, our survey showed
there are still uncertainties. There are many
breast cancer myths as noted by the results that
hinder persons from performing self exams and
obtaining healthcare screenings.