The Effect of Social Media on the Breast Cancer Knowledge and Health Beliefs of Women

Introduction: The present study aimed at determining the effect of social media on breast cancer knowledge and health behaviors of the women. Methods: The data were collected from 476 women who had willing to participate in the study, using Google forms on social media from February to May 2018. Results: The results indicated that the time spent on social media decreased, and self- efficacy and health motivation increased by age. The total scores of health beliefs in the subjects believing that social media raised their awareness of breast cancer were higher compared to the ones who did not. The results also showed that the perceived benefit and self-efficacy levels of the subjects increased, and their perceived barrier levels decreased as their breast cancer knowledge increased. Conclusions: It was concluded that the total scores of health belief of the subjects believing in the role of social media in raising awareness about breast cancer were high, and as their knowledge of breast cancer increased, their perceived benefit and self- efficacy levels increased, and their perceived barrier levels decreased.