RESUMO
The breast is one of the leading sites of invasive cancer. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between health locus of control, perceived self-efficacy, demographic health characteristics, and the degree to which they explain the current and future practice of breast self-exam and mammography screening. Data were collected during 1992. Eighty-six women participating in a clinical breast exam and mammography screening program at an ambulatory women's center in a large metropolitan teaching hospital in the Midwest voluntarily completed four questionnaires. Hierarchical regression and discriminant analysis demonstrated that perceived self-efficacy was a significant predictor of health-promotion behavior, and health-promoting lifestyle and locus of control were the most influential predictors of intent for breast self-examination and ongoing mammography.