Breast cancer awareness and downstaging practices among adult women in the Gulu City Main Market, Northern Uganda: A cross-sectional study

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers that occur worldwide among women. There were more disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost to breast cancer among women worldwide than any other cancers, and DALYs occurred in women globally after puberty, with increasing rates later in life. Improvements in breast cancer survival began in the 1980s in countries where early detection programs combined with different modes of treatment to eradicate the invasive form of the disease were practiced. Recent data showed that there was a higher prevalence of breast cancer among women in Northern Uganda than among women in the rest of Uganda.The objective of this study was to determine factors associated with breast cancer awareness, breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE), and other modalities for screening and early breast cancer detection among adult women in the Gulu main market.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Gulu main market in 2020. A total of 98 adult women were recruited for the study by a random sampling method. The questionnaire had an internal validity of Cronbach’s α=0.72. The study was approved by a local IRB. SPSS version 26.0 was used for data analysis, and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant.Results: Most participants were 20-29 years 41(41.8%), married 44(44.9%), monthly incomes of >UGX1 million shillings 51(52.2%), Acholi 81(82.7%), Catholics 46(46.9%), vendors 75(76.5%), duration of work in the market (1-10 years) 64(65.4%), primary level of education 39(39.8%), and had 1-2 pregnancies 37(37.8%). The independent factors associated with breast cancer awareness, breast self-examination, and clinical breast examination were vendor (primary occupation) (β=-0.130, t=-2.979, p<0.004), duration of work in the market (1-10 years) (β=-0.186, t=-2.452, p<0.016), and higher level of education (β=-0.091, t=-2.506, p<0.014).Conclusions: Breast cancer awareness and downstaging practices in adult women in the Gulu main market were thought-provoking. Women with better socioeconomic status (higher education, moderate work duration in the market and primarily vendors) in the Gulu main market were more likely aware and practiced breast cancer downstaging activities. There is a need to strengthen publicity on breast cancer-related knowledge for lower-income occupational groups and those with lower education levels to better understand the importance of conducting BSE, CBE, and mammography for early breast cancer detection.

1646 Breast Cancer Awareness Among Female Nurses in Pakistan: About Time to Scrub Off Assumptions!

Aim The main aim of this research is to assess whether the clinical experience influence the knowledge, attitude and practices of female nursing staff and nursing students regarding breast cancer and to provide a baseline for monitoring trends of breast cancer awareness in them. Method A cross-sectional study of 280 female nurses was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan. A pre-tested structured questionnaire with additional variables like cultural barriers to seeking medical help was used.1 The scores for outcome variables including knowledge, attitude and practices were pre-defined. Data was analyzed using SPSSv23. Results Of the 280 participants, with a p-value of 0.018, nurses aged more than 30 years, faced more practical, financial, emotional, and service barriers as compared to women younger than 30 years of age. By application of Chi-square test, there was a significant correlation between marital status and cultural barriers to seeking medical help, showing that single women (58.7%) shy away from talking about breast cancer considering it a taboo (p-value 0.028) whereas, more married nurses (59.2%) were apprehensive that they might be considered at fault by the society. (p-value 0.038) Conclusions Our study recognizes the need for delivering effective information to the female nurses regarding breast cancer in the biggest hospital of the capital city. Educating patients is likely to be effective if the female nurses play their part and have correct attitudes towards breast cancer practices. Therefore, we recommend arrangement of special courses and seminars for all healthcare professionals including the nursing staff.

Epidemiological Evaluation of Breast Cancer Awareness among Medical, Paramedical and General Population – A Hospital Based Questionnaire Survey

To investigate the knowledge of breast cancer among medical, paramedical and general population of women participants. A prospective observational questionnaire survey was carried out in a tertiary care teaching hospital in northern Karnataka for a period of six months with220 participants. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used. Data obtained was analysed using descriptive statistics. Out of 220 women, 31.36% were medical, 20.92% paramedical and 47.72% general. Almost, 94.20% of medical participants believed breast cancer as inherited. Notably, general group considered trauma(74.28%) and diet (73.33%) as major risk factors. Majority of medical and paramedical women thought lump in the breast as the initial sign of Breast Cancer. Awareness regarding mammography and biopsy in general population was 64.76% and 52.38% respectively. Moreover, 95.5% of medical women and all of the paramedical women thought that chemical / radiotherapy was the best treatment. Breast cancer knowledge and awareness was less among the general women. There is a need of developing effective interventional programs to educate women about breast cancer. Keywords: Awareness, Breast Cancer, Knowledge, Risk factors.

Early-age breast cancer awareness and prevention by the formation of peer groups: 'GiRLs Can' (youth movement against cancer)

The rate of new breast cancer cases is globally on the rise. This health condition is the most common cancer type suffered by adult women and adolescents in Indonesia. There is also a widespread concern of an increasing risk in subsequent generations. Therefore, the need to provide extensive awareness and prevention efforts appears very paramount, particularly in a premature stage. Early detection and diagnosis have been proved effective in breast cancer reduction and treatment. The peer group 'GiRLs Can' was formed to enhance the knowledge, skills and abilities related to active breast cancer prevention. This initiative also involved peer education in the form of training, demonstration, practice and re-training. The results showed 90% of the ‘GiRLs Can’ members were well-informed on the basic concepts of breast cancer, and demonstrated accurate self-examination processes, meanwhile 89% were able to invite other peers to partake in the self-examination. Furthermore, the service team recommended the formation of similar groups in other locations.

Self-Structured Breast Cancer Awareness among Female Adolescent

Introduction:The incidence of breast cancer has increased every year, mostly in developing countries. However, breast cancer awareness in women is still insufficient. A woman must be aware of breast cancer disease earlier. This study aimed to describe breast cancer awareness in female adolescents.Methods: The research design was used descriptive-analytic. The study population consisted of female adolescents in 10th-11th grade at Vocational High School in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. The sample was taken using stratified random sampling. There are 206 female adolescents aged 15-18 years old who participated in this study. Data collected using a self-structured breast cancer awareness questionnaire arranged by Breast Cancer Awareness Measurement (BCAM) guideline. The questionnaire consisted of breast cancer knowledge (disease, signs and symptoms, risk factors), perception, and BSE. The statistical analysis was using distribution frequency.Results: The result presented that the majority of female adolescents had high awareness (67,5%). The maximum score was knowledge of disease (3.28 ± 0.54) (table 3). The minimum score was risk factors knowledge (1.95 ± 0.69) and BSE (1.81 ± 0.78).Conclusion: The respondents have good knowledge of breast cancer disease yet understanding of risk factors is low. It is necessary to do counseling programs in school, particularly women's reproductive health and breast self-examination (BSE) due to improve knowledge of risk factors in female adolescents.

Breast Self Examination and Cancer Awareness among Female Staff in Federal Medical Center, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State (Knowledge and Practice)

Breast self-examination (BSE) is a recommended technique in medical science for early detection of breast cancer. It is a simple technique with no specific equipment and no cost implication. It has been shown to improve breast health awareness and thus detect potential abnormalities in the breast. It should be practiced by all women (or females known to be more at risk) from the moment the breast is developed. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice of BSE in relation to breast cancer awareness among female staff in Federal Medical Center, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Methods: A simple random technique was used to select a total of 411 female staff from different departments of the hospital. The data were collected using structured pretested questionnaire. Descriptive statistical method and correlation method was employed to analyze the variables. Results: The findings of this study revealed that 369(89.8%) had knowledge of BSE. It also revealed that 210 (51.1%) about half of the total number practice BSE regularly. Majority of the respondents, 187 (45.5%) heard of BSE through awareness programme. There was a statistical significant association between knowledge of breast self- examination and its practice. Conclusion: The study revealed that majority of the respondents had knowledge of BSE but the practice of BSE was poor. Knowing when to perform, how to perform, position to perform and confidence of what to look for during BSE were seen as a major issue or objective determinant of successful examination, in this study. Therefore, there is need for intensified sensitization programmes to address knowledge and the practice of BSE among females in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Breast Cancer Awareness in Myanmar: Results of a Hospital-based Study in Mandalay

Background: Although breast cancer is an important health problem in Myanmar, awareness of breast health has not been widely described. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out to explore awareness of early signs and risk factors of breast cancer among outpatient attendees at the Mandalay Central Women Hospital. Results: A total of 402 respondents with mean age of 31.4±9.0 years participated in the study. More than half of the respondents (65.9%) were aware of breast lumps as a breast cancer sign. Nearly half (42% to 48.7%) of the respondents were aware of the various risk factors of breast cancer. Although 54.1% had heard of breast self-examination, only 25.3% had knowledge of mammograms. Older women (age 49 years or more) had significantly better awareness of two early breast cancer signs; change of breast shape (54.1% vs 39.9%) and discharge from nipple (49.2% vs 33.4%). Those with less than high school education had significantly lower awareness of the following signs of breast cancer; thickening of the breast skin (39.3 % vs 20.45%), dimpling of the breast skin (43.2% vs 24.6%), change of breast shape (52.5% vs 35.2%), and discharge from nipple (44.9% vs 31.9%). They also displayed significantly lower awareness of risk factors of breast cancer. Conclusion: Among the study respondents, only one third had heard of self-breast examination and only a few (10%) examined both breasts regularly. Greater awareness of breast health and breast cancer screening should be imparted to promote breast health among women in Myanmar.