RESUMO
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To determine female physicians' and nurses' practices and attitudes toward breast self-examination (BSE). DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional. SETTING: Two large, bed-capacity university hospitals and 11 smaller, bed-capacity public hospitals. SAMPLE: 201 female nurses and 149 female physicians who work day shift on medical and surgical wards. METHODS: Data were collected on a questionnaire form that was prepared based on information in the literature. The questionnaire had three sections: sociodemographic characteristics, health characteristics, and attitudes and practices related to BSE. Data were analyzed using t tests and chi-square tests. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Attitudes and practices related to BSE, clinical breast examination, and mammography. FINDINGS: Almost all of the female physicians and nurses knew how to conduct BSE but did not prioritize practicing it. CONCLUSIONS: Female physicians and nurses in Istanbul, Turkey, did not take enough care in the proper timing of BSE (i.e., day 5 to day 7 after menstruation with the first day of menstruation being day 1) despite their knowledge about it. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Female physicians and nurses need to improve their knowledge and sensitivity concerning breast cancer and BSE if they are to improve and maintain their own well-being as well as carry out their professional roles.