Social and Demographics Factors Associated with the Breast Self-Examination (BSE) in Women in Primary Care

Background: Some social and demographic factors in the population may contribute to the practice of Breast Self-Examination (BSE) allowing timely detection of cancer in the early stages. Objective: To determine the socio-demographic factors associated with breast self-examination in women attending primary care. Patients and method: Analytical, observational, cross-sectional study in women aged 20-59, entitled to a primary care unit in Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Sociodemographic data were recorded: age, occupation, schooling, marital status, religion, socioeconomic status. Risk factors: Family history with breast cancer and body mass index. We performed bivariate analysis and logistic regression with BSE as a dependent variable. Results: We surveyed 380 women, mean age 38 ± 10.5 years, 22% performed BSE. There is a significant difference (p < 0.05), for primary education or less, single civil status, socioeconomic worker level, Jehovah’s Witness religion; Without difference for the occupation between the groups of BSE and those that do not realize BSE. There is a risk of not carrying out BSE in women of socio-economic workers RP (Prevalence Ratio) = 2.06, with primary or less PR = 1.27, Jehovah’s Witnesses PR = 3.34, single marital status RP 1.29, common PR = 1.49. Conclusions: Eight out of ten women do not have BSE. In primary care centers, it is necessary to strengthen BSE programs in health service providers. Despite the diffusion for the prevention of breast cancer in health institutions, sociodemographic factors limit BSE in urban women.