---

Background and purpose : breast cancer is the main cause of mortality. Ëarly diagnosis is one of the ways to prevent mortality. Breast self examination (BSË) plays very important role in the early diagnosis of this disease. Çonsidering the prevalence of breast cancer and the significance of BSË as a second preventive measure, a study was performed in order to study the effect of video and individual instruction on the performance of women.
Materials and Methods : Ïn this study 120 (60 for case and 60 for control group) women referring to Gaemshahr township health service centers were selected randomly, the samples were matched for age, education and husband proffezion. Questionnairs were prepared to collect the data such as 1) demographic information and 2) performance observation. X2 test, t test and descriptive analytical tests were used to analyze the data statistically.
Results : The pre test results indicated that majority (more than 90%) of the case and control, had no information on BSË, and none did it, But the results after the test showed that the awareness of the both groups accelerates (78.3% and 80% respectively). The mean scored mark after performance test in both groups indicated proper performance of BSË (29.5 case and 308 control).
Çonclusion : Video method of teaching for the performance of breast self examination was effective. Hence application of audio- vedio for the instruction of BSË in the medical health centers and its development is recommended.