Does the Extended Parallel Process Model Promote Breast Self-Examination? A Controlled Experimental Study

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer and about one-third of all cancers in women. Within the case of early detection, more than 90% of the patients are treated. However, most women do not perform breast self-examination as a simple, effective, and inexpensive way to prevent cancer deaths. Therefore, this study aimed to inform and educate women to promote self-efficacy and encourage individuals to self-care.

 This study is quantitative research and was conducted on 80 women aged 20-60 years old in health centers of the city of Some Sara. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire designed based on the Extended Parallel Process Model. The educational intervention was conducted using lecture, question and answer, movie screening, and practical presentation using Moulage. The health behaviors and performance of the participants before and immediately after the intervention, and two months later, were compared within the intervention and control groups. Data were analyzed by repeated-measures test, chi-square, Mann -Whitney, Exact Fisher's test.

The study results showed that educational intervention based on the Extended Parallel Process Model had increased self-efficacy within the intervention group compared with the control group. The intervention increased the average score of individuals from model structures. So that before the educational intervention, the average perceived susceptibility and severity score, perceived self-efficacy and response efficacy, perceived threat, and perceived efficacy was moderate. After the intervention, the average score of all model components increased (P<0/05). The mean score of the performance checklist was 14 before the intervention, which was upgraded to 20 after the intervention (P<0/05).

The results of this study supported the effectiveness of the Extended Parallel Process Model in preventing breast cancer.