The Big Five personality traits and adherence to breast cancer early detection and prevention

Surviving rates of breast cancer are related to early detection and prevention (EDP). While personal aspects are thought to be an important factor in predicting health behavior, little is known about which specific personality trait are related to specific EDP behavior. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between the Big Five personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, conscientiousness), and participation in EDPs [mammography (CBM); clinical breast examination (CBE); breast self-examination (BSE)], beyond women's age group, through self-report questionnaire. A sample of 1028 women in Israel were recruited using a snowball method. Data were analyzed using multiple regressions analyses. High extraversion, high neuroticism, and low openness predicted greater participation in CBM. High neuroticism and low openness predicted greater participation in CBE. High extraversion, high openness and high conscientiousness predicted greater participation in BSE. Although CBM and CBE performed to a much greater extent in the group's aged over 40 than in the group's aged under 40, they were performed only by about half of the women. These outcomes suggest that interventions programs according to women's personality trait are important to increase participation in EDP.