Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Modified Breast Cancer Worry Scale

BACKGROUND: There are many assessment instruments used for cancer worry. Many women worry about breast cancer, but In Turkey, there is no scale that assesses the worry about developing breast cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish Breast Cancer Worry Scale (BCWS). This scale was created as a modified version of the Cancer Worry Scale. METHODS: The study was conducted in a Family Health Center (FHC) located in eastern Turkey using a methodological design. The study sample consisted of 610 healthy women who referred to a FHC for any reason. The data were collected using the Participant Information Form and BCWS with a face-to-face interview conducted between Jun 2015 and Jan 2016. Construct validity of the scales was tested via factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, item-total score correlation coefficient, and test-retest correlations were calculated to check for reliability. RESULTS: The factor load values of BCWS were found to be between 0.45 and 0.79. The total Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the scale was 0.78, and the total score correlations of items ranged between 0.32 and 0.64. The test-retest reliability coefficient of the scale was 0.81 (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the BCWS is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the effect of breast cancer worry on daily activities and mental condition.