Abstract
This study examined the relative impact of different self-reward strategies on maintenance of breast self-examination (BSE) practice among 1649 women trained to do BSE. Training groups were randomized into four conditions: (a) self-reward instructions and materials delivered at the end of the BSE training session; (b) self-reward suggestions delivered through the mail each month, contingent upon the BSE performance; (c) external monetary rewards and self-reward suggestions delivered through the mail each month on an intermittent schedule, contingent upon BSE practice; and (d) a no-reward control condition. Follow-up assessments 12 months following training revealed a pattern of evidence in support of the benefits of external monetary rewards and self-reward prompts on BSE frequency and quality; however, it is likely that the value of that condition lies in the external reward component.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
American Cancer Society (1995). Cancer Facts and Figures, American Cancer Society, New York.
Carter, A. C., Feldman, J. G., Tiefer, L., and Hausdorff, J. K. (1985). Methods of motivating the practice of breast self-examination: A randomized trial. Prev. Med. 14: 555–572.
Crosson, K. E., Nessel, A. E., Engstrom, P. F., and Grover, P. L. (1978). Health Education in Preventive Oncology: A Study of Factors Influencing Practice of Breast Self-Examination, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia.
Foster, R. S., Jr., and Costanza, M. C. (1984). Breast self-examination practices and breast cancer survival. Cancer 53: 999–1005.
Foster, R. S., Jr., Lang, S. P., Costanza, M. C., et al. (1978). Breast self-examination practices and breast cancer stage. N. Engl. J. Med. 299: 265–270.
Gallager, H. (1980). The developmental pathology of breast cancer. Cancer 46: 905–910.
Gastrin, G., Miller, A. B., To, T., et al. (1994). Incidence and mortality from breast cancer in the Mama Program for Breast Screening in Finland, 1973–1986. Cancer 73: 2168–2174.
Grady, K. E. (1984). Cue enhancement and the long-term practice of breast self-examination. J. Behav. Med. 7: 191–204.
Grady, K. E., Goodenow, C., and Borkin, J. R. (1988). The effect of reward on compliance with breast self-examination. J. Behav. Med. 11: 43–57.
Greenwald, P., Nasca, P. C., Lawrence , C. E., et al. (1978). Estimated effect of breast self-examination and routine physician examinations on breast cancer mortality. N. Engl. J. Med. 299: 271–273.
Hailey, B. J., Lalor, K. M., Byrne , H. A., and Starling, L. M. (1992). The effects of self-reinforcement and peer-reinforcement on the practice of breast self-examination. Health Educ. Res. 7: 165–174.
Hill, D., White, V., Jolley, D., and Mapperson, K. (1988). Self examination of the breast: Is it beneficial? Meta-analysis of studies investigating breast self examination and extent of disease in patients with breast cancer. Br. Med. J. 297: 271–275.
Huguley, C. M., Jr., and Brown, R. L. (1981). The value of breast self-examination. Cancer 47: 989–995.
Jones, J. A., Eckhardt, L. E., Mayer, J. A., et al. (1993). The effects of an instructional audiotape on breast self-examination proficiency. J. Behav. Med. 16: 225–235.
Lieberman, S. (1977). A Study of the Effectiveness of Alternative Breast Cancer Public Education Programs, Lieberman Research, New York.
Mayer, J. A., and Frederiksen, L. W. (1986). Encouraging long-term compliance with breast self-examination: The evaluation of prompting strategies. J. Behav. Med. 9: 179–189.
Mayer, J. A., and Solomon, L. J. (1992). Breast self-examination skill and frequency: A review. Ann. Behav. Med. 14: 189–196.
Mayer, J. A., Dubbert, P. M., Scott, R. R., et al. (1987). Breast self-examination: The effects of personalized prompts on practice frequency. Behav. Ther. 18: 135–146.
Newcomb, P. A., Weiss, N. S., Storer, B. E., et al. (1991). Breast self-examination in relation to the occurrence of advanced breast cancer. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 83: 260–265.
O'Malley, M. S., and Fletcher, S. W. (1987). Screening for breast cancer with breast self-examination: A critical review. JAMA 257: 2197–2203.
Pennypacker, H. S., Bloom, H. S., Criswell, E. L., et al. (1982). Toward an effective technology of instruction in breast self-examination. Int. J. Ment. Health 11: 98–116.
Pinto, B. M. (1993). Training and maintenance of breast self-examination skills. Am. J. Prev. Med. 9: 353–358.
Shapiro, S. (1977). Evidence on screening for breast cancer from a randomized trial. Cancer 39: 2722–2729.
Thomas, D. B., Gao, D. L., Self, S. G., e t al. (1997). Randomized trial of breast self-examination in Shanghai: Methodology and preliminary results. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 89: 355–365.
Worden, J. K., Solomon, L. J., Flynn, B. S., et al. (1990). A community-wide program in breast self-examination training and maintenance. Prev. Med. 19: 254–269.
Worden, J. K., Mickey, R. M., Flynn, B. S., et al. (1994). Development of a community breast screening promotion program using base line data. Prev. Med. 23: 267–275.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Solomon, L.J., Flynn, B.S., Worden, J.K. et al. Assessment of Self-Reward Strategies for Maintenance of Breast Self-Examination. J Behav Med 21, 83–102 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018767505776
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018767505776