scholarly journals Evaluation of knowledge, awareness and attitudes towards breast cancer risk factors and early detection among females in Bangladesh: A hospital based cross-sectional study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0257271
Author(s):  
Nur E. Alam ◽  
Md. Shariful Islam ◽  
Hedayet Ullah ◽  
Md. Tarek Molla ◽  
Siratul Kubra Shifat ◽  
...  

Background Breast cancer (BCa) is a leading cause of mortality among women in Bangladesh. Many young women in Bangladesh have poor knowledge about breast cancer screening, including risk factors, warning signs/symptoms, diagnosis and early detection. We investigated awareness about breast cancer risk factors as a screening tool among women at the Sheikh Hasina Medical College (SHMC) of Tangail district in Bangladesh. Methods A cross sectional survey was conducted to collect data via a structured questionnaire from SHMC during the period of February to December 2019. A total of 1,007 participants (aged 33.47 (±12.37 years)) was considered for data analysis. Results Of the 1,007 women, about 50% were knowledgeable about the risk factors. Pain in the breast was identified as the most commonly warning sign/symptom of breast cancer. Only 32.2% of respondents knew at least one breast cancer screening method. The mean knowledge was scored 3.43 ± 2.25 out of a total possible score of 8. Awareness of BCa was associated with residence, family history of breast cancer, marital, literacy and socio-economic status (p <0.05). Only 14.7% of women who knew about BSE said they were conducting regular breast self-examination. Unmarried women (aOR: 2.971; 95% CI: 1.108–7.968) were more likely to have performed BSE compared to married women (p <0.05). Conclusion Although most participants were aware of breast cancer; knowledge about risk factors, warning signs/symptoms, early diagnosis and detection was relatively poor. Knowledge about performing BSE was particularly low. This highlights the importance of increasing awareness about breast cancer risk factors and early detection among young women in Bangladesh.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer D Brooks ◽  
Rebecca A G Christensen ◽  
Janice S Sung ◽  
Malcolm C Pike ◽  
Irene Orlow ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Histologically normal breast fibroglandular tissue (FGT) enhances on contrast MRI and is called background parenchymal enhancement (BPE). Having high BPE is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. We examined the relationship between MRI-FGT (a volumetric assessment of breast density) and BPE and breast cancer risk factors.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 419 women without breast cancer undergoing contrast-enhanced breast MRI. All women completed a questionnaire at the time of MRI. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) describing the relationship between breast cancer risk factors and BPE and MRI-FGT were generated using modified Poisson regression. Results: In multivariable adjusted models a positive association between BMI and BPE was observed, with a 5-unit increase in BMI associated with a 16% and 38% increase in prevalence of high BPE in pre- and post-menopausal women respectively. Conversely, a strong inverse relationship between BMI and MRI-FGT was observed in both pre- (PR=0.65, 95% CI 0.57, 0.76 per 5-unit increase of BMI) and post-menopausal (PR=0.67, 95% CI 0.57, 0.79, per 5-unit increase in BMI) women. Current use of oral contraceptives was associated with high BPE while use of preventive medication (e.g., tamoxifen) was associated with low BPE. Conclusion: This study identifies patient characteristics and exposures associated with BPE and MRI-FGT. BPE is a new imaging marker of breast cancer risk. The results of this study provide further support for the role of hormonal exposures on BPE.


Author(s):  
Kavita . ◽  
Damanpreet Kaur ◽  
Jarnail Singh Thakur ◽  
Darshna . ◽  
Pushplata . ◽  
...  

Background: Breast cancer is a leading health problem in females in developing countries. It is associated with various risk factors which are largely preventable. Risk factor awareness and adherence to healthy life style can play a significant role in prevention of cancer. So, study was undertaken to assess the awareness of risk factor of breast cancer and practices of breast self-examination among unmarried females.Methods:  A descriptive cross sectional study design was adopted to recruit 150 subjects. Purposive sampling technique was used to enrol unmarried females above 19 years of age. Written informed consent was taken from participants. Interview schedule was constructed, validated and used for data collection. The data was analysed using SPSS version 20.0.Results: Findings of the study revealed that mean age of participant was 22.65±3.21 years. Most of the females were aware that non breast-feeding practices (94.7%), infertility (84.7%), using oral contraceptives pills (50.7%), advancing age (48%), and any trauma to breast (36.7%) are risk factors of breast cancer. Nearly three fourth (76%) of the subjects had good awareness of breast cancer risk factors. However, breast self-examination was only practiced by 14.6% (22) subjects from total 150 subjects.Conclusions: Study concluded that most of the women were aware about the risk factors of breast cancer, however only few were practicing breast self-examination. Since screening and early detection of breast cancer is crucial for cancer control, nurses as health professionals have a significant role to play in early detection and increasing awareness among individuals and communities. 


Author(s):  
Farid Abdulwahab Ghrayeb ◽  
Omar Rimawz ◽  
Azzam Nimer

Background: Cancer is a major public health problem globally. The incidence of cancer is escalating rapidly in many low- and middle-income countries like Palestine due to the epidemiological transition. This could be due to lack of awareness, knowledge and beliefs about breast cancer and its management among females. Aims and objectives was to determine knowledge of breast cancer risk factors, symptoms and early detection methods among Al-Quds University female students.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted over a period of 6 months in Al-Quds University. Study population was 332 female university students. Data was collected by using self-administered questionnaire.Results: The most widely known risk factors by the students were old age 62.7%, followed by obesity 44% and never being pregnant 30.7%. Approximately half of the students (48.8%) identified breast lump as a symptom for breast cancer. However, non lump symptoms were less known and less than half were aware of other warning signs. Only 48.5 % of students identified correctly the appropriate time to perform breast self examination.Conclusions: The findings of this study showed a low level of knowledge on breast cancer risk factors, early warning signs and BSE among female university students. Therefore, effective educational programs are required to improve the knowledge level of university students regarding breast cancer and related practices.


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