Journals / Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 8 Sayı: 2

The Relationship Between Fear of Breast Cancer, Awareness, and Mammography Self-Efficacy in Women

Kadınlarda Meme Kanseri Korkusu, Farkındalığı ve Mamografi Öz-Yeterliliği Arasındaki İlişki

Sevinç Meşe(Kahramanmaraş İstiklal Üniversitesi)0000-0003-4635-9169
Pages
151–158
Publication Date
2026-08-07
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Nurses can play a crucial role in raising awareness, providing education, and guiding women in early detection and screening processes to improve survival rates and reduce the need for aggressive treatments.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Aim: This study aimed to determine the levels of breast cancer fear, awareness, and mammography self-efficacy among women aged 40–69 and to examine the relationships of mammography self-efficacy with age, education, breast cancer fear, and awareness.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in Türkiye with women aged 40-69.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:Nurses can play a crucial role in raising awareness, providing education, and guiding women in early detection and screening processes to improve survival rates and reduce the need for aggressive treatments.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:farkındalık · korku · mamografi

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to determine the levels of breast cancer fear, awareness, and mammography self-efficacy among women aged 40–69 and to examine the relationships of mammography self-efficacy with age, education, breast cancer fear, and awareness. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in Türkiye with women aged 40-69. Data were collected using the Introductory Information Form, Champion Breast Cancer Fear Scale-T, Mammography Self-Efficacy Scale-T, and Breast Cancer Awareness Measure-Tr. Data were analyzed using number, percentage, mean and standard deviation, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression. Results: The regression analysis of the model established for the relationship between women's mammography self-efficacy, age, education, breast cancer fear, and awareness was significant (p <0.05). The independent variables included in the model accounted for 29% of the total variance in the dependent variable. There was a positive correlation between mammography self-efficacy, education, breast cancer fear, and awareness, and a negative correlation with age. Conclusion: Moderate breast cancer fear, increased awareness, and education about mammography can enhance self-efficacy. Reaching older women, those with lower education levels, and those with a high fear of breast cancer is crucial to increasing participation in mammography screenings. Nurses can play a crucial role in raising awareness, providing education, and guiding women in early detection and screening processes to improve survival rates and reduce the need for aggressive treatments.

Özet

Amaç: Bu çalışma, 40-69 yaş arası kadınlarda meme kanseri korkusu, farkındalığı ve mamografi öz-yeterlilik düzeylerini belirlemeyi; ayrıca mamografi öz-yeterliliğinin yaş, eğitim, meme kanseri korkusu ve farkındalığı ile olan ilişkisini incelemeyi amaçlamıştır. Yöntem: Bu tanımlayıcı ve kesitsel çalışma, Türkiye'de 40-69 yaş grubundaki kadınlarla yürütülmüştür. Veriler; Tanıtıcı Bilgi Formu, Champion Meme Kanseri Korkusu Ölçeği (Champion Breast Cancer Fear Scale-T), Mamografi Öz-yeterlilik Ölçeği (Mammography Self-Efficacy Scale-T) ve Meme Kanseri Farkındalık Ölçeği (Breast Cancer Awareness Measure-Tr) kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Verilerin analizinde sayı, yüzde, ortalama ve standart sapma, Pearson korelasyonu ve çoklu regresyon analizi kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Kadınların mamografi öz-yeterliliği ile yaş, eğitim, meme kanseri korkusu ve farkındalığı arasındaki ilişkiyi belirlemek amacıyla kurulan regresyon modeli anlamlı bulunmuştur (p < 0,05). Modele dahil edilen bağımsız değişkenler, bağımlı değişkendeki toplam varyansın %29'unu açıklamaktadır. Mamografi öz-yeterliliği ile eğitim, meme kanseri korkusu ve farkındalığı arasında pozitif; yaş ile ise negatif bir korelasyon saptanmıştır. Sonuç: Orta düzeyde meme kanseri korkusu, artan farkındalık ve eğitim, mamografi öz-yeterliliğini geliştirebilir. Mamografi taramalarına katılımı artırmak için yaşlı kadınlara, düşük eğitim seviyesine sahip olanlara ve yüksek meme kanseri korkusu yaşayanlara ulaşmak kritik öneme sahiptir. Hemşireler; farkındalık yaratma, eğitim verme ve kadınları erken teşhis ile tarama süreçlerine yönlendirme konularında hayati bir rol oynayarak hayatta kalma oranlarını artırabilir ve agresif tedavi ihtiyacını azaltabilirler

🔖

Cite This Article

Meşe, S. (2026). The Relationship Between Fear of Breast Cancer, Awareness, and Mammography Self-Efficacy in Women. Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Dergisi, Cilt: 8 Sayı: 2, 151–158. https://doi.org/10.48071/sbuhemsirelik.1923099

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (38)

  1. Amalia, R., Jannah, M., Kamal, A., Safuni, N., Ahyana, A., & Wahyuni, L. (2024). A correlational study of self-efficacy, marital status, and quality of life in breast cancer patients in Aceh, Indonesia. Journal of Nursology, 27(3), 163-170. doi: 10.17049/jnursology.1433741
  2. Bandura, A. (1989). Social cognitive theory. In R. Vasta (Ed.), Annals of child development: Vol. 6. Six theories of child development (pp. 1–60). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.
  3. Baş, S., & Ursavaş, F. (2023). Transcultural adaptation and validation of the Turkish version of the Breast Cancer Awareness Measure (BCAM) questionnaire. Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences, 7(3), 85-94. doi: 10.30621/jbachs.1213402
  4. Bray, F., Laversanne, M., Sung, H., Ferlay, J., Siegel, R. L., Soerjomataram, I., & Jemal, A. (2024). Global cancer statistics 2022: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 74(3), 229-263. doi: 10.3322/caac.21834
  5. Cal, A., Kabatas Yildiz, M., and Aydin Avci, I. (2018) Examination of knowledge and fear levels of breast cancer with the spiritual characteristics of nurses. Front. Public Health 6:331. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2018.00331
  6. Champion, V. L., Skinner, C. S., Menon, U., Rawl, S., Giesler, R. B., Monahan, P., & Daggy, J. (2004). A breast cancer fear scale: Psychometric development. Journal of Health Psychology, 9(6), 753-762. doi: 10.1177/1359105304045383
  7. Champion, V., Skinner, C. S., & Menon, U. (2005). Development of a selfefficacy scale for mammography. Research in Nursing & Health, 28(4), 329-336. doi: 10.1002/nur.20088
  8. Chin, C. H., Tseng, L. M., Chao, T. C., Wang, T. J., Wu, S. F., & Liang, S. Y. (2021). Self-care as a mediator between symptom-management selfefficacy and quality of life in women with breast cancer. PloS one, 16(2), e0246430. doi: 10.1002/nop2.696
  9. Dębska-Janus, M., Rozpara, M., Muchacka-Cymerman, A., Dębski, P., & Tomik, R. (2025). Health behaviors in the context of optimism and self-efficacy—the role of gender differences: A cross-sectional study in Polish Health Sciences Students. Behavioral Sciences, 15(5), 626. doi: 10.3390/bs15050626
  10. Emami, L., Ghahramanian, A., Rahmani, A., Mirza Aghazadeh, A., Onyeka, T. C., & Nabighadim, A. (2021). Beliefs, fear and awareness of women about breast cancer: Effects on mammography screening practices. Nursing Open, 8(2), 890-899. doi: 10.1002/nop2.696
  11. Erdoğan, E., & Tuzcu, A. (2020). Comparison of mammography behaviors, health beliefs, and fear levels of women with and without familial breast cancer history. Women & Health, 60(7), 776-791. doi: 10.1080/03630242.2020.1746949
  12. Ezema, R. N., Igbokwe, C. C., Iwuagwu, T. E., Agbaje, O. S., Ofuebe, J. I., Abugu, L. I.,. & Wamanyi, Y. (2021). Association of sociodemographic factors, breast cancer fear, and perceived self-efficacy with breast cancer screening behaviors among middle-aged Nigerian women. Breast Cancer: Basic and Clinical Research, 15, 11782234211043651. doi: 10.1177/11782234211043651
  13. Flores-Luevano, S., Shokar, N. K., Dwivedi, A. K., Shokar, G. S., & Defeu, S. N. (2020). Breast cancer fear among Mexican American women in the United States. Breast Cancer: Basic and Clinical Research, 14, 1178223420952745. doi: 10.1177/1178223420952745
  14. Georga, D., Zartaloudi, A., Saridi, M., Fradelos, E. C., Rouka, E., Sarafis, P., & Toska, A. (2025). Factors determining women’s attitudes and knowledge toward breast cancer screening: A systematic review. Healthcare, 13(13), 1605. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13131605
  15. Hussain, I., Majeed, A., Masood, I., Ashraf, W., Imran, I., Saeed, H.,. & Rasool, M. F. (2022). A national survey to assess breast cancer awareness among the female university students of Pakistan. Plos one, 17(1), e0262030. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262030
  16. Kandemir, D., Yüksel, S., Kanbay, Y., Temiz, Z., Uğras, G. A., & Akyolcu, N. (2025). The mediating role of mammography self-efficacy in the effect of cancer attitudes on fear of breast cancer in women. Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 41(3), 151896. doi: 10.1016/j.soncn.2025.151896
  17. Kulakci, H., Ayyildiz, T. K., Yildirim, N., Ozturk, O., Topan, A. K., & Tasdemir, N. (2015). Effects of breast cancer fatalism on breast cancer awareness among nursing students in Turkey. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 16(8), 3565-3572. doi: 10.7314/APJCP.2015.16.8.3565
  18. Lee, C. H., & Kim, Y. I. (2015). Effects of attitude, social influence, and self-efficacy model factors on regular mammography performance in life-transition aged women in Korea. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 16(8), 3429-3434. doi: 10.7314/APJCP.2015.16.8.3429
  19. Linsell, L., Lindsay, J. L., Burgess, F. C., Kapari, M., Thurnham, A., & Ramirez, A. J. (2010). Validation of a measurement tool to assess awareness of breast cancer. European Journal of Cancer, 46(8), 1374–1381. doi: 10.1016/j. ejca.2010.02.034
  20. Liu, L. Y., Wang, Y. J., Wang, F., Yu, L. X., Xiang, Y. J., Zhou, F.,. & Yu, Z. G. (2018). Factors associated with insufficient awareness of breast cancer among women in Northern and Eastern China: A case–control study. BMJ Open, 8(2), e018523. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018523
  21. Melvin, C. L., Jefferson, M. S., Rice, L. J., Cartmell, K. B., & Halbert, C. H. (2016). Predictors of participation in mammography screening among non-hispanic black, non-hispanic white and hispanic women. Frontiers in Public Health, 4, 188. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2016.00188
  22. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2023). Health at a Glance 2023: OECD Indicators – Cancer screening. Retrieved from (03.07.2025): https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/health-at aglance-2023_7a7afb35-en/full-report/cancer-screening_212c79aa.html
  23. Olçar Ece, Z., Koçak, H. S., & Güngörmüş, Z. (2022). The effect of fear level on early diagnosis behaviors of women with first degree relative with breast cancer. Journal of Nursing Science, 5(1), 22–29. doi: 10.54189/hbd.1049877
  24. Osei-Afriyie, S., Addae, AK., Oppong, S., Amu, H., Ampofo, E., Osei, E. (2021) Breast cancer awareness, risk factors and screening practices among future health professionals in Ghana: A cross-sectional study. PLoS One, 16(6), e0253373. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253373
  25. Özçelik, E. K., & Seçginli, S. (2022). Breast cancer screening behaviors of women who have family history of breast cancer. Sürekli Tıp Eğitimi Dergisi, 31(3), 183-192. doi: 10.17942/sted.897058
  26. Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health. (2023). Health Statistics Yearbook. Retrieved from (03.07.2025): https://ekutuphane.saglik.gov.tr/Ekutuphane/kitaplar/SİY2023_İngilizce(31.01.2025).pdf
  27. Schwarzer, R., & Luszczynska, A. (2008). Perceived self-efficacy. In K. Glanz, B. K. Rimer, & K. Viswanath (Eds.), Health behavior and health education: Theory, research, and practice (pp. 1–33). National Cancer Institute. https://cancercontrol.cancer.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/self-efficacy.pdf
  28. Secginli, S. (2012). Mammography self-efficacy scale and breast cancer fear scale: Psychometric testing of the Turkish versions. Cancer Nursing, 35(5), 365-373. doi: 10.1097/NCC.0b013e3182331a9a
  29. Sohbet R., & Karasu F. (2017) Investigation of the knowledge, behavior and applications of their women towards breast cancer. Gümüşhane Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 6(4),113-121.
  30. Tavakoli, B., Feizi, A., Zamani-Alavijeh, F., & Shahnazi, H. (2024). Factors influencing breast cancer screening practices among women worldwide: A systematic review of observational and qualitative studies. BMC Women’s Health, 24(1), 268. doi: 10.1186/s12905-024-03096-x
  31. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2024). Final recommendation statement: Screening for breast cancer. Retrieved from (03.07.2025): https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/breastcancer-screening
  32. Wang, Y. J., Wang, F., Yu, L. X., Xiang, Y. J., Zhou, F., Huang, S. Y.,. & Liu, L. Y. (2022). Worldwide review with meta analysis of women’s awareness about breast cancer. Patient Education and Counseling, 105(7), 1818-1827. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2021.12.012
  33. Yılmaz, M., Sayın, Y., & Cengiz, H. Ö. (2017). The effects of training on knowledge and beliefs about breast cancer and early diagnosis methods among women. European Journal of Breast Health, 13(4), 175-182. doi: 10.5152/tjbh.2017.3255
  34. Ziner, K. W., Sledge, G. W., Jr., Bell, C. J., Johns, S., Miller, K. D., & Champion, V. L. (2012). Predicting fear of breast cancer recurrence and self-efficacy in survivors by age at diagnosis. Oncology Nursing Forum, 39(3), 287–295. doi: 10.1188/12.ONF.287-295
  35. Ezema, R. N., Igbokwe, C. C., Iwuagwu, T. E., Agbaje, O. S., Ofuebe, J. I., Abugu, L. I.,. & Wamanyi, Y. (2021). Association of sociodemographic factors, breast cancer fear, and perceived self-efficacy with breast cancer screening behaviors among middle-aged Nigerian women. Breast Cancer: Basic and Clinical Research, 15, 11782234211043651. doi: 10.1177/11782234211043651
  36. Hussain, I., Majeed, A., Masood, I., Ashraf, W., Imran, I., Saeed, H.,. & Rasool, M. F. (2022). A national survey to assess breast cancer awareness among the female university students of Pakistan. Plos one, 17(1), e0262030. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262030
  37. Liu, L. Y., Wang, Y. J., Wang, F., Yu, L. X., Xiang, Y. J., Zhou, F.,. & Yu, Z. G. (2018). Factors associated with insufficient awareness of breast cancer among women in Northern and Eastern China: A case–control study. BMJ Open, 8(2), e018523. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018523
  38. Wang, Y. J., Wang, F., Yu, L. X., Xiang, Y. J., Zhou, F., Huang, S. Y.,. & Liu, L. Y. (2022). Worldwide review with meta analysis of women’s awareness about breast cancer. Patient Education and Counseling, 105(7), 1818-1827. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2021.12.012