ABSTRACT
Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second major cause of cancer deaths in women. Detection of breast cancer in its early stages is amenable to almost complete cure. Breast cancer screening comprises breast-self-examination [BSE], clinical breast examination [CBE] and mammography. The purpose of this study was to examine the performance conditions of screening methods among women referring to health centers of Tabriz in 2008. Using descriptive- analytic study method, 400 women aged 20-50 years were selected through random clustered sampling. The samples were drawn from Tabriz health centers and their active records. The data were collected through a questionnaire consisting personal and social characteristics and a self-examination observational checklist. Descriptive and inferential statistics [Chi square and fisher s exact test] were used to analyze the data by SPSS software [version13]. The study demonstrated that only 18.8% of women performed breast self examination. 19.1% had clinical breast examination and 3.3% mammogram. The main reasons for women who didn't perform breast cancer screening were being unaware of breast self examination, not having a breast problem and not feeling its necessity. Performing of BSE was significantly correlated with level of education, employment, income, number of children, breastfeeding history, breastfeeding quality and family history of breast cancer. There were also significant relationship between performing of CBE and history of benign breast tumor as well as between performing of mammography and family history of breast cancer and history of benign breast tumor [P<0.05]. The finding revealed that the performance of breast cancer screening methods was not satisfactory. Providing essential education regarding breast cancer screening methods through health personnel especially during pregnancy, post partum and even during counselling sessions befor marriage, seems to be necessary