Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in the worldandinTurkey. It also ranks first in cancer-related deaths in women. Lack of awareness about thedisease, lack of information, late diagnosis and inadequate medical facilities cause anincreasein breast cancer incidence and mortality. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a video and mobile phone application preparedtoraise awareness and turn breast cancerscreening into behavior in women aged 40-69 who do not have breast cancer symptoms. Method: A quasi-experimental study based on design and comparison of pre test, midtest andpost test results of women in a single group. Data were collected via an online surveyandGoogle Play Store (to download the mobile phone application) between May 2023 andJanuary2024. The study was completed with 90 women. Data were collected using an individual information form, Breast Cancer Screening Program information test, animation video, Breast Cancer Screening Warning Program (MEKTUP) mobile phone application, and research evaluation survey.
No study was found in Turkey on the combined use of animated videos and mobile phone applications to create awareness and behavioral changes for women to participate in breast cancer screening programs. The research was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an animated video and mobile phone application prepared to raise awareness and turn it into behavior in asymptomatic women between the ages of 40-69 about performing BSE regularly every month, having BSE once a year, and having mammography once every two years. Hypothesis₁: Watching an informative animated video about early screening program for breast cancer has a positive effect on the behaviors of women between the ages of 40-69 in terms of performing BSE, having CBE and having mammography. Hypothesis₂: The reminder MEKTUP mobile phone application about early screening program for breast cancer has a positive effect on the behaviors of women between the ages of 40-69 in terms of performing BSE, having CBE and having mammography. Hypothesis₃: Watching an animated video about early screening program for breast cancer and the reminder MEKTUP mobile phone application have a positive effect on the behaviors of women between the ages of 40-69 in terms of performing BSE, having CBE and having mammography.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
90
An animation video scenario and MEKTUP mobile phone application were prepared by the researchers in light of the literature, in line with the "National Breast Cancer Screening Program" and by taking expert opinions.
İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
National Breast Cancer Screening Program Knowledge Test (At the first stage (first encounter with cases/month 0))
After the informed written consent was received from the women who agreed to participate in the research, the Descriptive Information Form prepared by the researchers and the National Breast Cancer Screening Program Knowledge Test were applied as the "Pre-Test" via e-mail or social media. The Descriptive Information Form contains 17 questions about age, marital status, education level, employment, income status, last menstrual period, smoking, a family history of breast cancer, and breast cancer early screening program. National Breast Cancer Screening Program Knowledge Test: This test was prepared using the literature and the National Breast Cancer Screening Program .The test includes a total of 20 questions, with 10 correct and 10 incorrect answers. If an individual answers all questions correctly, they score 20 points.
Time frame: first encounter with cases/month 0
National Breast Cancer Screening Program Knowledge Test (At the second stage (month 1))
The National Breast Cancer Screening Program Knowledge Test was applied to the women who watched the animated video a second time, one month later, as the "Interim Test" via. Immediately after the interim test, the participants were interviewed and asked to download the MEKTUP mobile phone application from the Google Play Store and register. The mentioned video was sent to the participants via WhatsApp. Animated Video: An animated video scenario was prepared by reviewing the literature and based on the "National Breast Cancer Screening Program". Written expert opinions were received on both the video design and information content. Three characters (a mother, a daughter, and a doctor) were included in the animation design. In the scenario, the doctor provided information on how, when, and where to perform BSE, undergo CBE, and have mammography, and breast cancer symptoms. (Animated video)
Time frame: month 1
National Breast Cancer Screening Program Knowledge Test (At the second stage (month 1))
The National Breast Cancer Screening Program Knowledge Test was applied to the women who watched the animated videoa second time, one month later, as the "Interim Test" via. Immediately after the interim test, the participants were interviewed and asked to download the MEKTUP mobile phone application from the Google Play Store and register. The mentioned video was sent to the participants via WhatsApp. The Breast Cancer Screening Warning Program (MEKTUP) mobile phone application, designed by the researchers in line with the "National Breast Cancer Screening Program" and having a reminder feature, was employed as a data collection tool. The mobile phone application automatically sent reminder messages in the "Reminder" section to menstruating women, according to the date of their last menstruation, and to non-menstruating women, according to a date they determined, to perform BSE once a month, to undergo CBE once a year, and to have mammography once every two years.
Time frame: month 1
the MEKTUP mobile phone application (At the third stage)
Reminder messages were automatically sent to women concerning breast cancer screening follow-ups via the MEKTUP mobile phone application according to their last menstrual date or the dates they provided.
Time frame: month 2
the Research Evaluation Survey (At the fourth stage)
The National Breast Cancer Screening Program Knowledge Test applied to women at the first meeting was filled out for the third time as the "Post-Test." Furthermore, the effects of the animated video and the MEKTUP mobile phone application on women's knowledge about the breast cancer screening program and their behaviors were evaluated using the Research Evaluation Survey. Research Evaluation Survey:The said survey comprises six questions about women's status of participating in breast cancer screenings and the effects of the animated video and the MEKTUP (LETTER) mobile phone application on their participation in breast cancer screenings at the fourth research stage.
Time frame: month 3
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.