Comparison of breast cancer risk estimations, risk perception, and screening behaviors in obese rural korean women

Purpose/Objectives: To assess three breast cancer risk assessment tools in obese rural Korean women. Design: Cross-sectional survey design. Setting: Community settings in the rural region of northeastern South Korea. Sample: A nested cohort sample of 64 severely obese women aged 40-60 years from the Korean Genomic Regional Cohort registry. Methods: The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool of the National Cancer Institute (BCRAT-NCI), Breast Cancer Risk Appraisal for Korean Women (BCRA-K), and Estimation of Individualized Probabilities of Developing Breast Cancer for Korean Women (EIPDBC-K) were used for interview data. Mammography, women's perceptions, and screening behaviors also were analyzed. Main Research Variables: Breast cancer risk assessment, mammography findings, women's perceptions of breast cancer risk, and breast cancer screening behaviors. Findings: A total of 5 (BCRAT-NCI), 19 (BCRA-K), and 43 (EIPDBC-K) women were at higher (above average or high) risk for breast cancer. The BCRA-K (r = 0.28, p < 0.05) and EIPDBC-K (r = 0.43, p < 0.001) correlated with mammography findings. However, the BCRAT-NCI correlated only with the BCRA-K. Women's breast self-examination (Χ ² = 4.77, p < 0.05) and mammography findings (Χ ² = 5.22, p < 0.05) differed according to their risk perception. Conclusions: Risk assessment by the BCRA-K and EIPDBC-K was related to mammography findings. Women's perception of breast cancer risk influenced their screening behaviors. When choosing a risk assessment tool, healthcare professionals should consider the ethnic and cultural backgrounds of the target population. Implications for Nursing: Healthcare professionals should use appropriate risk assessment tools in breast cancer education and counseling to help women understand their risk factors and adopt proper health behaviors.