# WOMEN'S ACCEPTANCE OF BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION

> **NIH NIH R01** · MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE BEHAVIORAL MED · 1990 · $169,073

## Abstract

During the first year, the objectives were:  (1)  to determine the effects of
self-monitoring and remainder techniques on (a) the frequency with which women
carry out BSE over a six-month period; and (b) the quality of BSE carried out;
(2) to determine characterisitics of women who carry out BSE at differential
levels over a six-month period.
To meet the self-monitoring aspect of Objective 1, a nine-month calendar was
printed on the back of the BSE instructions and stickers which said "Do A BSE"
and "Mark Your Calendar" were developed.  The external technique is a postcard
which is individually timed in mailing to arrive at the time of the month
appropriate for the women's BSE.  To meet Objective 1a, a measure was developed
which involves drawing the findings of the self-examination on a schematic
diagram.  It is printed on carbonless "snap-aparts" which allows women to keep a
record to determine any changes from month to month.  Objectives 1b assesses
quality of BSE by:  (1) the BSE Record discribed above, and (2) a BSE Behavior
Checklist which allows recording the steps of a thorough BSE.  To meet Objective
2, an interview form was designed to gather data on (a) previous experience with
BSE; (b) personal and family history of breast cancer and cancer; (c) Health
Belief Model attitudes; (d) the Health Locus of Control Scale; and (e)
demographic items.
The experiment is slightly more than half completed at this time.  Effort has
been placed in screening women, recruiting those eligible, and teaching them
BSE.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3174373
- **Project number:** 5R01CA036798-07
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE BEHAVIORAL MED
- **Principal Investigator:** KATHLEEN E GRADY
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1990
- **Award amount:** $169,073
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1987-07-15 → 1992-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3174373

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3174373, WOMEN'S ACCEPTANCE OF BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION (5R01CA036798-07). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3174373. Licensed CC0.

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