ABSTRACT
The practice of breast self-examination [BSE], a recommended method of breast screening, depends upon many factors including the beliefs, attitudes and perceived barriers of the women of a particular community. Our aim was to identify these factors among women residing in the AI-Qassim region. This was a cross-sectional study including women attending primary health care centres [PHCs] for different reasons. Women over the age of 18 years, having information about BSE, were recruited from 17 randomly selected PHCs, each under a different group health care centre. An Arabic translation of a modified 30-item Lauver and Angerame questionnaire was used. Responses were compared with personal characteristics of the participants and practice of BSE. Out of a total of 266 women only 131 [49.2%] had information about BSE and these answered the questionnaire. No significant relationship was found between the personal parameters and practice of BSE. The factors determining the practice of BSE included the subject's own lack of competence, fear and not remembering. Improving the competence may improve the rate of BSE performance. That may be an important first step towards the early detection of breast cancer in this population