Breast self-examination: the evaluation of strategies for promoting monthly home-practice

A reduction in breast cancer mortality could be achieved by the regular practice of Breast Self-Examination (BSE), an early detection technique. · Based on interventions which have been successful in increasing compliance to other health-related behaviors, this study attempted to evaluate the efficacy of prompts on the monthly practice of BSE. Specifically, after exposure to a BSE teaching workshop, participants (N = 83), who were faculty and staff members at a state university, were assigned to one of three experimental conditions: telephoned prompts, mailed prompts, and no prompts. Compliance was measured during a 7 month period by means of an indirect behavioral measure.

Results indicated that although experimental conditions did not differ with respect to mean frequency of BSE, they did differ in terms of proportion of noncompliers and high compliers. The prompt conditions contained a smaller proportion of noncompliers and a greater proportion of high compliers than the control group. In addition, the phoned prompts were more effective than the mailed prompts in increasing compliance. The proportion of compliance in all conditions decreased over time; compliance during the first half of the study accurately predicted compliance during the second half. The variables that accurately discriminated noncompliers from high compliers for all months of the study were educational level and perceived efficacy of BSE.

The results are discussed in terms of cost-effectiveness and generalizability. Specific recommendations for future studies are presented.