Comparison of early diagnosis, health lifestyle behaviors and breast cancer worries of women with and without a first-degree relative with a history of breast cancer

Background: Breast cancer ranks first among the cancer types seen in women. This study aimed to compare the early diagnosis, healthy lifestyle behaviors and worry levels over breast cancer of women with and without a first-degree relative with a history of breast cancer (FDRBCH). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 240 women (120 with FDRBCH, 120 without FDRBCH) who had not been diagnosed with breast cancer. Data were obtained using a questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic factors, early diagnosis behaviors, the Breast Cancer Worry Scale, and the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale II (HLBS-II). The knowledge of breast cancer in women with an FDRBCH and those performing breast self-examination were significantly different (p < 0.05). The total breast cancer worry score was significantly high in women with an FDRBCH (11.49 ± 4.34). In addition, the mean scores of health responsibility (22.02 ± 4.88), nutrition (22.70 ± 4.42) and stress management (20.26± 4.46) subdimensions of the HLBS-II were significantly higher in women with an FDRBCH. Results: The results of this study suggest that having an FDRBCH increases worry over breast cancer but also positively affects participation in early diagnosis and healthy lifestyle behaviors. Conclusions: In this respect, it is primarily suggested that women without FDRBCH should be included in breast cancer early diagnosis screening programs and programs that encourage healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Breast cancer; Early diagnosis; Family history; Worry; Healthy lifestyle behaviors

[1] Taşhan ST, Uçar T, Derya YA, Nacar G, Erci B. Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the modified breast cancer worry scale. Iranian Journal of Public Health. 2018; 47: 1681–1687.

[2] Ministry of Health. Periodic health examinations and screening tests recommended for family medicine practice. 2015. Available at: https://hsgm.saglik.gov.tr/depo/birimler/kronik-hastaliklar-ve-yasli-sagligi-db/Dokumanlar/Kitaplar/Periyodik_Muayene_Rehberi.pdf (Accessed: 12 September 2022).

[3] Ministery of Health. Health statistics year book. 2016. Available at: https://dosyasb.saglik.gov.tr/Eklenti/13183,sy2016turkcepdf.pdf? (Accessed: 21 November 2022).

[4] Guneş D, Başkan SA, Köse, S. Factors affecting women’s breast cancer prevention behaviors. Turkish Journal of Science and Health. 2022; 3: 138–146.

[5] Sun YS, Zhao Z, Yang ZN, Xu F, Lu HJ, Zhu ZY, et al. Risk factors and preventions of breast cancer. International Journal of Biological Sciences. 2017; 13: 1387–1397.

[6] Kırca N, Tuzcu A, Gözüm S. Breast cancer screening behaviors of first degree relatives of women receiving breast cancer treatment and the affecting factors. European Journal of Breast Health. 2018; 4: 23–28.

[7] American Cancer Society (ACS). American cancer society recommendations for the early detection of breast cancer. 2019. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer.html (Accessed: 01 September 2022).

[8] Taylan S, Çelik GK. Breast cancer diagnosis behaviors in women with and without a family history of breast cancer. Cukurova Medical Journal. 2020; 45: 1467–1475. (In Turkish)

[9] American Cancer Society (ACS). Breast cancer risk factors you cannot change. 2019. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/risk-and-prevention.html (Accessed: 11 November 2022).

[10] American Cancer Society (ACS). American cancer society recommendations for the early detection of breast cancer. 2019. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/american-cancer-society-recommendations-for-the- early-detection-of-breast-cancer.html (Accessed: 11 November 2022).

[11] American Cancer Society (ACS). Cancer facts and figures. 2017. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2017/cancer-facts-and-figures-2017.pdf (Accessed: 11 November 2022).

[12] Koçyiǧit O, Erel S, Kismet K, Kiliçoǧlu B, Sabuncuoglu M, Akkuş MA. Knowledge about breast cancer, mammography and breast self examination in women who applied to outpatient clinics: a study conducted in the city center. Nobel Medical. 2011; 7: 19–25.

[13] Hashemi-Ghasemabadi M, Taleghani F, Kohan S, Yousefy A. Living under a cloud of threat: the experience of Iranian female caregivers with a first-degree relative with breast cancer. Psycho-Oncology. 2017; 26: 625–631.

[14] Jensen JD, Bernat JK, Davis LA, Yale R. Dispositional cancer worry: convergent, divergent, and predictive validity of existing scales. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology. 2010; 28: 470–489.

[15] Quillin JM, Bodurtha JN, McClish D, Wilson DB. Genetic risk, perceived risk, and cancer worry in daughters of breast cancer patients. Journal of Genetic Counseling. 2011; 20: 157–164.

[16] Sinicrope PS, Patten CA, Clark LP, Brockman TA, Rock EE, Frost MH, et al. Adult daughters’ reports of breast cancer risk reduction and early detection advice received from their mothers: an exploratory study. Psycho-Oncology. 2009; 18: 169–178.

[17] Gozuyesil E, Tas F, Duzgun A. Factors affecting breast cancer worry and healthy lifestyle behaviors in women aged 15–49 years. Cukurova Medical Journal. 2019; 44: 1215–1225. (In Turkish)

[18] Walker SN, Sechrist KR, Pender NJ. The health-promoting lifestyle profile: development and psychometric characteristics. Nursing Research. 1987; 36: 76–81.

[19] Pender NJ, Murdaugh CL, Parsons MA. Health promotion in nursing practice. 6th edn. Pearson: Boston. 2011.

[20] Bennett P, Parsons E, Brain K, Hood K. Long-term cohort study of women at intermediate risk of familial breast cancer: experiences of living at risk. Psycho-Oncology. 2010; 19: 390–398.

[21] Murphy PJ, Marlow LA, Waller J, Vrinten C. What is it about a cancer diagnosis that would worry people? A population-based survey of adults in England. BMC Cancer. 2018; 18: 86.

[22] Gülçin N. The relationship between breast cancer anxiety level and early diagnosis screening behavior in women. Journal of Inonu University Health Services Vocational School. 2018; 6: 44–53. (In Turkish)

[23] Pan American Health Organization. Prevention: breast cancer risk factors and prevention. Available at: https://www.paho.org/en/documents/prevention-breast-cancer-risk-factors-and-prevention (Accessed: 01 September 2022).

[24] Whitney CA, Dorfman CS, Shelby RA, Keefe FJ, Gandhi V, Somers TJ. Reminders of cancer risk and pain catastrophizing: relationships with cancer worry and perceived risk in women with a first-degree relative with breast cancer. Familial Cancer. 2019; 18: 9–18.

[25] Altun E, Çıtıl R, Okan İ. Women’s concern about breast cancer, risk factors and approaches to early diagnosis methods. Medical Research Reports. 2023; 6: 32–46. (In Turkish)

[26] Gulbahar G, Birol T. Quality of life with breast cancer patients and evaluation of healthy life behaviors. Namık Kemal Medical Journal. 2017; 5: 63–74. (In Turkish)

[27] Spector D, Mishel M, Skinner CS, Deroo LA, Vanriper M, Sandler DP. Breast cancer risk perception and lifestyle behaviors among White and Black women with a family history of the disease. Cancer Nursing. 2009; 32: 299–308.

[28] Erdoğan E, Tuzcu A. Comparison of mammography behaviors, health beliefs, and fear levels of women with and without familial breast cancer history. Women & Health. 2020; 60: 776–791.

[29] Lerman C, Trock B, Rimer BK, Jepson C, Brody D, Boyce A. Psychological side effects of breast cancer screening. Health Psychology. 1991; 10: 259–267.

[30] Bahar Z, Beşer A, Gördes N, Ersin F, Kıssal A. Healthy life style behavior scale II: a reliability and validity study. Journal of Cumhuriyet University School of Nursing. 2008; 12: 1–13. (In Turkish)

[31] Sen CKN, Baruh L, Kumkale GT. Beyond a paycheck: the influence of workforce participation on women’s cancer screening in Turkey. Sex Roles. 2016; 75: 599–611.

[32] Vrinten C, McGregor LM, Heinrich M, Von Wagner C, Waller J, Wardle J, et al. What do people fear about cancer? A systematic review and meta-synthesis of cancer fears in the general population. Psycho-Oncology. 2017; 26: 1070–1079.

[33] Madlensky L, Vierkant RA, Vachon CM, Pankratz VS, Cerhan JR, Vadaparampil ST, et al. Preventive health behaviors and familial breast cancer. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. 2005; 14: 2340–2345.

[34] Moshki M, Shahgheibi S, Taymoori P, Moradi A, Roshani D, Holt CL. Psychometric properties of the mammography self-efficacy and fear of breast cancer scales in Iranian women. BMC Public Health. 2017; 17: 534.

[35] Cohen M. Breast cancer early detection, health beliefs, and cancer worries in randomly selected women with and without a family history of breast cancer. Psycho-Oncology. 2006; 15: 873–883.

[36] Bebis H, Altunkurek SZ, Acikel C, Akar I. Evaluation of breast self-examination (BSE) application in first- and second-degree relatives of patients with breast cancer. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention. 2013; 14: 4925–4930.

[37] April-Sanders A, Oskar S, Shelton RC, Schmitt KM, Desperito E, Protacio A, et al. Predictors of breast cancer worry in a hispanic and predominantly immigrant mammography screening population. Women’s Health Issues. 2017; 27: 237–244.

[38] McGregor BA, Bowen DJ, Ankerst DP, Andersen MR, Yasui Y, McTiernan A. Optimism, perceived risk of breast cancer, and cancer worry among a community-based sample of women. Health Psychology. 2004; 23: 339–344.

[39] Karayurt Ö, Zorukoş SN. Feel of women at a high risk for breast cancer and meeting, their needs for knowledge and support. Journal of Breast Cancer. 2008; 4: 56–61.

[40] Ewles L, Simnett I. Promoting health: a practical guide. 4th edn. Baillière Tindall: Edinburgh, UK. 2003.

[41] Sonmezer H, Cetinkaya F, Nacar M. Healthy life-style promoting behaviour in Turkish women aged 18–64. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention. 2012; 13: 1241–1245.

[42] Gökçe D, Ayten A. Healthy life style behaviors of migrant women and influencing factors. Journal of Duzce University Health Sciences Institute. 2014; 4: 1–8.

[43] Bilal S. The relationship between fertility and menopause women’s healthy lifestyle behaviors and the behavior of breast and gynecologic cancer prevention [master’s thesis]. Haliç University. 2012.

[44] Hacer GU, Ilknur AA. The effect of healthy lifestyle attitudes of women who have applied to the cancer inspection center on early diagnosis knowledge and implementations. Gumushane University Journal of Health Science. 2015; 4: 244–258.

[45] Bayat M, Sharifi M, Pezhhan A, Sarabi AB, Shayegan F. Predictors of a health-promoting lifestyle in women of reproductive age. Medical-Surgical Nursing Journal. 2020; 9: 3.

[46] Thanavaro JL, Moore SM, Anthony M, Narsavage G, Delicath T. Predictors of health promotion behavior in women without prior history of coronary heart disease. Applied Nursing Research. 2006; 19: 149–155.

[47] Küçükberber N, Ozdilli K, Yorulmaz H. Evaluation of factors affecting healthy life style behaviors and quality of life in patients with heart disease. Anadolu Kardiyoloji Dergisi. 2011; 11: 619–626. (In Turkish)

[48] Yılmazel G, Büyükkayacı DN. Healthy lifestyle behaviors and preventive health applied to women ages 18–64: a sample from the Çorum province. TAF Preventive Medicine Bulletin. 2016; 15: 92–97.

[49] Ereeș S, Kandemir E, Özçakar N, Ereeș E. The analysis of healthy lifestyle behaviors of women working in greenhouses in Menderes district of Izmir province, Turkey. Ege University Faculty of Agriculture Journal. 2017; 57: 475–480.

[50] Özçelik EK, Seçginli S. Breast cancer screening behaviors of women who have family history of breast cancer. Sürekli Tıp Eğitimi Dergisi. 2022; 31: 183–192. (In Turkish)