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.