Evaluating the frequency of breast cancer risk factors in women referred to mammography center for breast cancer screening: A report from south part of Iran

Background: Breast cancer is the commonest cancer among women in Nigeria. There are several reasons why over 60% of breast cancer patients present with advanced disease. Some of which are lack of awareness and poor uptake of cancer screening methods. Aim: This study aims to assess the knowledge of breast cancer risk factors and practice of screening modalities among a cross-section of women in 5 different local government areas in Lagos. Methods: This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study conducted among women during a breast cancer awareness and screening program in 5 local government areas of Lagos. A self-administered questionnaire was administered to assess the knowledge of breast cancer risk factors and practice of screening methods. Results were analyzed with SPSS version 21. Results: A total of 1113 respondents were surveyed across various communities. Distributions among semi-urban communities include: 29.7% from Mushin, 22.4% from Somolu, 18.2% from Ikeja, 15.8% from Kosofe and 13.8% from Idi-Araba. Mean age ± SD of respondents was 43.6 ± 12.6 years. Even though 78.5% have heard about breast cancer and screening only 29.3% had been screened. Breast screening modalities used were clinical breast examination (19.9%), mammogram (5.8%) and breast ultrasound (3.6%). Conclusion: This study shows that there is a low uptake of breast cancer screening practices and the high knowledge of screening methods did not translate to higher screening practices among the studied population. There is a need to create more awareness on the risk factors identification and emphasize the importance of regular screening for breast cancer as essentials for early diagnosis and survival.

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Knowledge and Practice of Breast Cancer Screening and Awareness of Its Risk Factors Among Reproductive Women of Jammu and Kashmir

International Healthcare Research Journal ◽

10.26440/ihrj/0409.12372 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (9) ◽

pp. OR5-OR11

Author(s):

Mehak Javaid ◽

Swaminathan J.

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Breast Cancer Risk ◽

Breast Cancer Screening ◽

Age Group ◽

Cancer Risk Factors ◽

Breast Cancer Risk Factors ◽

Cancer Literacy

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the most common type of malignancy among women worldwide, therefore, it becomes necessary to understand the breast cancer literacy among women. Breast cancer literacy includes knowledge of breast cancer screening, practice of breast cancer screening and awareness of breast cancer risk factors. OBJECTIVES: To determine level of awareness and practice of breast cancer screening, to assess level of awareness of breast cancer risk factors and to establish role of demographics in uptake and knowledge of breast cancer screening. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In this study, reproductive women were taken and questionnaires given were filled by 381 respondents. Relevant questions were asked keeping in view the objectives. Role of age and maximum education of women was also established. RESULTS: It was found that majority of women who were aware of breast cancer screening belonged to age-group 21-30 having mean of 56.19% and also showed higher practice of the same as compared to others (mean=50.1%) followed by women belonging to age-group 31-40 whose knowledge mean came out to be 25.5% and mean of practice was found to be 35.26%. The other two age groups of 15-20 and 41-45 showed low knowledge and less practice of breast cancer screening. Similar results were found out for other parameter. CONCLUSION: Women whose maximum education was graduate and above showed higher level of awareness of breast cancer screening and risk factors and also higher practice of breast cancer screening as compared to women who had lower educational background.

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