Breast self-examination among Polish women of procreative age and the attached significance.

The aim of the study was to check whether and how frequently Polish women of procreative age examine their breasts, what this is conditioned by, and whether such self-examination has diagnostic significance. In this study, survey by questionnaire of 492 women of procreative age was conducted. Breast self-examination (BSE) was conducted by 82.9% of the respondents, out of which 33.7% conducted regular monthly examinations. The demographic variables assumed in this study proved to be statistically significant (P < .05) for younger single women with medical education and living under conditions of higher economic standard. The diagnostic significance attached to BSE was closely connected with the professional background of the respondents and the actual conducting of BSE. An opinion that BSE has diagnostic value was expressed in the group of medical professionals significantly more frequently than in the group of women representing other professions (P = .0000009). Such an opinion was also held significantly more often in the group of women performing BSE than in the group of women who had no such habit (P < .0000001). A majority of women of procreative age perform BSE; however, only a third perform that regularly, every month. Factors determining the conduction of BSE include age, profession, marital status, and standard of living conditions. The diagnostic significance attached to BSE is closely connected with the professional background of the respondents and actual conducting of BSE. Breast self-examination has not been satisfactorily popularized among Polish women. Greater involvement in educational activities of medical personnel may improve the present situation.