Effect of an Educational Intervention on Modifiable Risk Factors, Self-care Behaviors, and Perceived Risk in the Prevention of Breast Cancer among Menopausal and Postmenopausal Women Educational intervention in BC prevention
Abstract
Background: The incidence of breast cancer varies across world regions but continues to rise; it is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women in the Americas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention on modifiable risk factors, self-care behaviors, and perceived risk in the prevention of breast cancer among menopausal and postmenopausal women.
Methods: A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest study was conducted among 100 women, including 48 in the control group and 52 in the experimental group. Data were collected using two instruments: the Modifiable Risk Factors and Self-Care Behaviors Questionnaire and the Perceived Risk Scale.
Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. Post-intervention analyses adjusted for baseline values using ANCOVA showed a statistically significant increase in perceived breast cancer risk in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < .001). Significant improvements were also observed in breast self-examination (p < .001) and gynecological checkup attendance (p < .001) in the experimental group, whereas no significant differences were found for breast ultrasound (p = .071).
Conclusion: The educational intervention was associated with significant improvements in perceived breast cancer risk and key self-care behaviors among menopausal and postmenopausal women. These findings support the implementation of structured educational strategies to strengthen preventive behaviors in this population.
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