Breast cancer is an important health problem for females. Early detection and treatment of breast cancer plays a vital role in decreasing the mortality and morbidity. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of an educational program - daughters teaching their mothers about breast self-examination (BSE). The study sample included two teaching classes of female students from a senior high school in Chang-Hwa, Taiwan. The students were divided into two groups: the experimental group and the control group. Students in one of the two classes were assigned to the experimental group which received the educational program. Students in the other class were assigned to the control group which was not received the program, however, a BSE related educational sheet was given and they were asked to give it to their mothers. The contents of training program included risk factors, manifestations, and prevalence of breast cancer in Taiwan, early detection methods of breast cancer and information of BSE. The effect of the program was assessed by using a questionnaire survey from the mothers and reconfirmed by using telephone interview by researcher. The data were analyzed with SPSS 12.0 software. The results showed that: (1) the experimental group had better knowledge of BSE and self confidence than the control group, but no significant difference in perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, benefit of BSE and health motivation; (2) the experimental group had less cognition in perceived barriers than that of the control group; (3) the BSE were practiced more frequently in the experimental group than the control. The data suggested that the daughters’ teaching of BSE to their mothers may be beneficial in increasing mother’s knowledge in breast cancer, health beliefs, and the practice of BSE.
