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BMC Women's Health
Published in: BMC Women's Health 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research article

Breast cancer-preventive behaviors: exploring Iranian women’s experiences

Authors: Maryam Khazaee-Pool, Ali Montazeri, Fereshteh Majlessi, Abbas Rahimi Foroushani, Saharnaz Nedjat, Davoud Shojaeizadeh

Published in: BMC Women's Health | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

Breast cancer-preventive behaviors are critical for community and women’s health. Although many studies have addressed women’s knowledge and attitudes toward breast cancer, little information is available about their experiences of breast cancer preventive behaviors. This study aimed to explore the experiences of Iranian women regarding preventive behaviors.

Methods

This was a qualitative study. A sample of Iranian women aged 30 years and over was selected purposefully. Data collected through focus group and semi-structured audiotaped interviews and were analyzed by conventional content analysis.

Results

The following five main themes emerged from the analysis: attitude toward breast cancer and preventive behaviors, stress management, healthy lifestyle, perceived social support and individual/environmental barriers. The findings showed that women were highly motivated to preventive behaviors of breast cancer but faced considerable challenges.

Conclusions

The findings indicated that increased awareness, positive attitudes, stronger motivational factors, and fewer barriers toward preventive behaviors are most important parameters that might encourage women to practice breast cancer-preventive behaviors.
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Metadata
Title
Breast cancer-preventive behaviors: exploring Iranian women’s experiences
Authors
Maryam Khazaee-Pool
Ali Montazeri
Fereshteh Majlessi
Abbas Rahimi Foroushani
Saharnaz Nedjat
Davoud Shojaeizadeh
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Women's Health / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6874
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6874-14-41

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