College Women and Breast Cancer

Abstract

Background: Although breast cancer prevention should begin in youth, many young women are not aware of the modifiable lifestyle risk factors for the disease. Purpose: The purposes of this study were to examine the breast cancerrelated knowledge, behaviors, and beliefs of young women; to determine whether knowledge about lifestyle risks was related to risk-reducing behaviors; and to determine whether value expectancy constructs could predict risk-reducing behaviors. Method: Surveys assessing knowledge, behaviors, beliefs, and demographics were administered to 522 college women. Results: The majority of the participants lacked knowledge about the lifestyle risk factors for breast cancer, and knowledge and beliefs were unrelated to their behaviors. Discussion: The results of the study have implications for health educators, health care providers, and researchers who provide young women with the information and skills to engage in behaviors that may protect them against breast cancer. Translation to Health Education Practice: Young women need to understand that engaging in certain behaviors can lower their risk of breast cancer. Health educators need to incorporate breast cancer risk reduction into their educational efforts with young women.