Determining female physicians' and nurses' practices and attitudes toward breast self-examination in Istanbul, Turkey.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To determine female physicians' and nurses' practices and attitudes toward breast self-examination (BSE). DESIGN Descriptive, cross-sectional. SETTING Two large, bed-capacity university hospitals and 11 smaller, bed-capacity public hospitals. SAMPLE 201 female nurses and 149 female physicians who work day shift on medical and surgical wards. METHODS Data were collected on a questionnaire form that was prepared based on information in the literature. The questionnaire had three sections: sociodemographic characteristics, health characteristics, and attitudes and practices related to BSE. Data were analyzed using t tests and chi-square tests. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Attitudes and practices related to BSE, clinical breast examination, and mammography. FINDINGS Almost all of the female physicians and nurses knew how to conduct BSE but did not prioritize practicing it. CONCLUSIONS Female physicians and nurses in Istanbul, Turkey, did not take enough care in the proper timing of BSE (i.e., day 5 to day 7 after menstruation with the first day of menstruation being day 1) despite their knowledge about it. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Female physicians and nurses need to improve their knowledge and sensitivity concerning breast cancer and BSE if they are to improve and maintain their own well-being as well as carry out their professional roles.