Authors

Oihane Terán Muñoz1, Marta Moreno Maza2, Íñigo Chávarri Canelo3

Position

1Enfermera especialista en Obstetricia y Ginecología. Hospital Santos Reyes. Burgos2Enfermera. Hospital Txagorritxu. Álava3Maestro en Educación Primaria

Contact address

Oihane Terán Muñoz. C/ Málaga, 12. 09007 Burgos.

Contact email: oihaneteran@gmail.com

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the role of breast self-examination (BSE) in breast cancer prevention.
Method: a bibliographic review in the Medline (Pubmed) and Scopus databases, and manual review of key references and authors. The controlled terms used in Spanish (DeCS) were: salud de la mujer, neoplasias de la mama, examen físico and eficacia; and in English (MeSH): women’s health, breast neoplasms, physical examination and efficacy. Time limit: 2011-2015. Language: English and Spanish.
Results: in total, 270 articles were retrieved, and 28 studies were selected. The highest number of articles (n= 6) came from Turkey. Two studies revealed that BSE leads to a 48% early diagnosis. There is a low rate of adherence of self-examination associated with religious or cultural beliefs and low education and economic level. The factors with positive impact are: having a higher education level, work, older age (menopause), and marital status (higher support through the spouse).
Conclusion: an early detection of breast cancer has a direct impact on morbidity and mortality. Socioeconomic and cultural factors are associated with conducting BSE; having a higher education level, work, older age, and having a partner, will increase the likelihood of conducting BSE. The combination of mammogram and breast self-examination is recommended as screening method.

Keywords:

Women’s health; breast neoplasms; physical examination; efficacy; narrative review

Versión en Español

Título:

Autoexploración mamaria en el cáncer de mama