Cancer is one of the important health problems at the present day. Among malignant diseases in women, breast canser is the most prevalent and also the most common cause of death. Making regular breast self examination practices every month is an effective diagnosis method for breast cancer. This study was planned to determine the attitudes relating to cancer and evaluate breast self examination practices of women aged 18 and over living at the central district in Malatya. This study is a cross-sectional research and in the period of the study the guestionaire has been applied to a total of 575 women aged 18 and over in Malatya province center. We used the 30 cluster unit for sampling proposed by WHO for developing countries. The mean age of women within the study scope was 35.7±0.5. The 16.3% of women were illiterates and 71.5% were house wife. Of the women within the study scope, 88.2% had a health insurance while 11.7% did not have any health insurance. According to the 68.2% of the women within the study scope, cancer is a preventable disease, and the 73.6% consider cancer as a curable disease. According to the opinion of 91% of women, early diagnosis might increase survival rate in cancer. 43% of women declared to make breast examination by oneself. According to the findings, age, educational level and existing family members with cancer affect the level of breast self examination practices (p < 0.05). As a result, it could be said that Breast Self Examination practices was not at desired level contrary to expectations though women have positive attitudes relating to cancer
Key Words: Women, Cancer, Attitude, Breast Self Examination
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