It has been object of concern to the medical literature and, more recently, to psychology, the high prevalence of breast cancer in women. The early diagnosis helps to decrease the index, and among the methods for detection, the "breast self-examination" appears as a secondary prevention, secure and without costs. Researches have shown, however, that the practice of breast self-examination is not satisfactory, mainly to women of a low schooling as well as a low social-economic level. According to the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), most of human behavior can be explained in terms of behavioral or normative beliefs. So, the present research aims to investigate the prominent modal beliefs of low income women, who lack clear information and effective health services, by using a sample of 40 women interviewed at a public hospital in João Pessoa (PB, Northeast of Brazil). The interviews contained items about the advantages and disadvantages of the breast self-examination, knowledge and sociodemographic data. The average age of the sample was 32,5 years (DP = 11,37). Results indicate a total of 132 behavioral beliefs, which were classified into 9 dimensions and 166 normative beliefs, classified into 4 dimensions. These results demonstrate that beliefs do influence adherence to a practice of breast self-examination, and might make public prevention campaigns to turn their attention to these aspects, promoting not only the practice of breast self examination, but other preventive strategies for this significant portion of the population.
breast self-examination; low income; beliefs; prevention
