116 CAUSE OF FAILURE CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS IN WOMEN REFERS TO SHIRAZ HEALTH CENTERS

Abstract

Introduction and aim: Breast cancer screening is a method for detection of breast cancer at a very early stage. Aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of premenopausal and menopausal women about breast cancer screening. Material and methods: In this descriptive study 486 premenopausal and menopausal women (aged 40 to 70) were selected randomly among women referred to health centers of Kermanshah. The tool, used to collect data was questionnaire evaluating the following variables: demographic characteristics (e.g age, educational level, . . .) and questions about knowledge and behaviors of women about breast cancer screening. Results: Around 31% (151) of subjects were aware of breast self-exam. Awareness of women about clinical breast exam and breast mammography (as screening tests) were 21% and 4% respectively. Only 23.4% of women were performing breast self-exam once a month. History of clinical breast exam and mammography accomplishment was 15% and 2.3% respectively. But only 7.9% had regularly annual clinical breast exam and none of women over 50 had been performed the annual mammography. Lack of awareness on the part of women and the fact that this test was expensive to administer were most important preventing factors of the breast cancer screening test. Discussion: The results showed that women had poor knowledge and behaviors about Breast cancer screening. This is probably due to lack of appropriate educational programs regarding this subject.