A Psychoeducational Intervention for Breast Cancer Screening Methods and Healthy Lifestyles for University Students and Their Families

Abstract

Introduction: In Mexico, cancer is a public health issue and the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 20 years. Three out of ten women with cancer suffer from breast cancer, and most are of reproductive age at the time of diagnosis, affecting the socioeconomic well-being of families. Objective: This study evaluated the effects of a psychoeducational intervention on beliefs about breast cancer screening methods and healthy lifestyles among university women and their families. Materials and methods: A pretest-posttest design was used, with 42 university students participating in a three-session psychoeducational intervention on breast cancer detection methods and healthy lifestyle practices. These students, in turn, shared the information with their relatives (n = 28). Results: Significant differences were found in the university students’ group in perceived seriousness (z = −1.95, p = .047, d = .48), perceived self-efficacy (z = −3.62, p = .001, d = 2.5), and physical activity (z = −3.18, p = .001, d = 1.8). Among their relatives, significant differences were also observed in the posttest in susceptibility (z = −2.31, p = .021, d = .82), perceived seriousness (z = −2.30, p = .021, d = .98), perceived self−efficacy (z = −2.37, p = .0118, d = 1.51), and health motivation (z = −2.30, p = .021, d = 1.10). Conclusion: Psychoeducational interventions can improve beliefs about cancer and its screening methods in college students and their families. Therefore, such interventions can serve as a strategy to promote breast cancer screening methods and a healthy lifestyle.