Background: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women in Indonesia and has remained a leading cause of mortality over recent decades. Despite its potential to aid in early detection, breast self-examination (BSE) is practiced by only a small proportion of women. BSE is a simple, cost-effective method for identifying breast abnormalities, yet its adoption remains low, particularly among adolescents.
Objective: This study aimed to examine the association between knowledge, attitudes, family support, and information exposure with breast self-examination behavior among adolescent girls attending senior high school in a rural area of Indonesia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 129 female students from all grade levels at a senior high school in a rural district. Participants were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using a modified version of the BSE questionnaire by Nde et al. (2015), which demonstrated strong validity (CVI = 0.88) and reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.98). Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted using SPSS Version 26.
Results: Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between family support and BSE practice. Other factors such as knowledge, attitude, and information exposure were also examined but did not demonstrate statistically significant relationships in multivariate analysis.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the critical role of family, particularly in rural communities, in encouraging breast health awareness and preventive behaviors such as BSE among adolescent girls. Strengthening family involvement may enhance early detection practices and reduce breast cancer morbidity in the long term.
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