Objective: To investigate of attitudes and behaviours of a group of women who reside at in Ankara Gölbaşı on self-breast examination.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed with the participation of women (301/394= 76.4%) who lived at a living place in Gölbaşı/Ankara in March 2006. Data was obtained by using a self-employed questionnaire following verbal consent of participants. Percentage was used for descriptive statistic, and Khi Square was used for probability analysis.

Results: Of all participants 87.7% stated self-breast examination was necessary, 66.5% examined their breasts themselves at least once in a time, 28.9% practiced this regularly once in a month, 35.6% performed self breast examination after bleeding (menstrual cycle). At proper time and frequency (once in a month following cycle) the percent of self-breast examination was found as 23.3%. Those who obtained information on self-breast examination from health providers and from media (television and newspapers) constituted first two ranks with the percents of 37.3% and 34.3 respectively. The frequency of self-breast examination in a monthly base and following the cycle was found higher among those graduated from high school and more, those who believe self-breast examination is essential.

Conclusion: At proper time and frequency (once in a month following cycle) the percent of self-breast examination was found as 23.3%. The percent of participants who knew and practiced self-breast examination was determined higher than many previous studies. Unfortunately, this was evaluated not sufficient by considering the importance of self-breast examination for early detection.©2008, Firat University, Medical Faculty.