Breast cancer and self-examination education: Effects on adolescent knowledge levels

The purposes of this study were to identify the level of breast cancer and breast self examination practice knowledge of primary health nurses and the factors influencing breast cancer and breast self examination knowledge as well as to investigate the frequency of breast self examination practice of primary health nurses and influencing factors and to evaluate the effects of an in-service training program about breast cancer and breast self examination practice for primary health nurses. An increased awareness among nurses about breast cancer prevention would most likely result in a higher number of better educated women about breast cancer and also motivate adherence to screening recommendations. A pre-test and post-test design was implemented to evaluate the effectiveness of a Breast Cancer and Breast Self Examination Education Program for primary health nurses. The program was instructed to 192 of the 215 primary health nurses by two nurse trainers. Pre- and post-tests made available a quantitative evaluation of the level of improvement in breast cancer and breast self-examination knowledge. Mean of total breast cancer knowledge score of primary health nurses prior to the program was 58.51 SD 15.63 whereas, it increased to 75.96 SD 9.53, revealing a statistically significant escalation (p < 0.0001). A significant increase was detected in the number of primary health nurses practising breast self examination as a result of the significant improvement in the mean of self breast self examination practice knowledge score which rose evidently from 71.09 SD 19.31 to 85.02 SD 12.92 (p < 0.0001). The in-service education program improved the knowledge about breast cancer and practice of breast self examination in trained primary health nurses. The program model, which involved trained primary health nurse also represented an efficient use of the resources. It is important that primary health nurses have adequate breast cancer knowledge and practice of breast self examination to contribute effectively to primary health care. Findings of this study can be used to guide the planning efforts on continuous education of primary health nurses about breast cancer and breast self examination issues.

BACKGROUNDWe conducted this study to assess knowledge of breast cancer and sources of information about breast cancer among women in Riyadh. We also analyzed whether associations existed between demographic variables, knowledge of breast cancer, and the practice of breast self-examination and use of mammography screening.METHODSWomen interested in participating in this community-based descriptive study provided data by completing a pre-tested structured questionnaire.RESULTSOf 864 participating women, 84% were Saudi, 45% were married and 67.8% had a university level education. Eighty percent were between the ages of 20 to 50 years. Knowledge of breast self examination (BSE) was high; 82% (95% confidence intervals [CI], 79.2%–84.4%) knew about BSE, while 61% (95% CI: 57.9%–64.5%) knew about mammography, but only 41.2% (95% CI, 37.9%–44.5%) had performed BSE and 18.2% (95%CI, 15.5%–20.8%) had had mammography screening. Knowledge of breast cancer, risk factors and protective factors for breast cancer was moderate. There was a statistically significant association between the demographic characteristics (marital status, educational status and family history of breast cancer) and knowledge and practice of BSE and mammography.CONCLUSIONThough it has limitations, this study revealed an imbalance between the knowledge and practice of BSE among women. It also showed that there is only moderate knowledge of risk and protective factors for breast cancer and that knowledge and practice of BSE and mammograms vary according to marital and educational status. Hence, frequent community-based awareness programs are needed so that all women can know and practice BSE, which in turn helps to prevent breast cancer.

The rising incidence of breast cancer (BC) in sub-Saharan Africa is aggravated by poor prognosis. Health education and several screening methods, including breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast-examination (CBE) and mammography, have been advanced to achieve early detection and reduction in its mortality rate. This study evaluated the level of awareness and knowledge of BC and BSE amongst female students and staff of six educational institutions in Ota, Southwest Nigeria. The participants, consisting of 917 (80.79%) students and 218 (19.21%) staff, aged between 13 and 60 years, were selected using a stratified random sampling technique and categorized into age groups [adolescents (13-19 years), young adults (21-40 years) and middle-aged adults (41-60 years)] and levels of education. Data was collected via questionnaires and analysed using Epi-info software and SPSS version 20. Frequencies, percentages, regression and correlation co-efficient were calculated and used to determine the levels of association between age groups and levels of education. Mean age of the participants was 21 ± 1.7 years; over 75% were adolescents. BC and BSE awareness was 94.80% and 65.11% respectively, with 7 (0.62%) having BC. The major sources of BC and BSE information were television, health workers and internet. The average BC knowledge score of the participants was 4.06 (40.57%); it was highest among young adults, 4.31 (43.07%), and least among the adolescents, 3.88 (38.78%). The same trend was observed for BSE practice among the age groups. There was a direct relationship between BC knowledge and levels of education; the postgraduates had the highest BC knowledge score of 4.49 (44.89%) while the secondary students had the least score of 3.82 (38.12%). Similar trend was observed for BSE practice and the levels of education. Paucity of BSE knowledge largely accounted for the low BSE practice among the adolescents and secondary students. The huge gap in BC knowledge and BSE practice underscores the need for a structured health education and screening programmes in Nigerian schools to enhance prevention and early detection of BC and other ailments. BSE is free, easy to perform, and able to detect BC at earlier stage. The practice should be encouraged alongside mammography to reduce the burden and mortality rate of BC in Nigeria.

Breast cancer is a public health problem that is increasing throughout the world especially in developing countries. The study was aimed at assessing the knowledge of breast cancer and practice of breast self examination (BSE) among female senior secondary school students in the municipal council area of Abuja, Nigeria. This descriptive cross sectional study was carried out among female senior secondary school students from selected schools in the municipal area council of Abuja. The tool for data collection was a structured self administered questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16.0. Two hundred and eighty-seven students participated in the study. Their mean age was 16.5 +/- 1.4 years. A greater proportion of respondents 163 (56.8%) had poor knowledge of breast cancer while 217 (75.6%) had poor knowledge of BSE. Only 114 (39.7%) of the respondents knew that being a female was a risk factor for breast cancer and the least known risk factors were obesity and aging. The major source of information for breast cancer and BSE among the respondents was the mass media. Only 29 (10.1%) of respondents had practiced BSE. Knowledge of BSE was significantly associated with BSE practice. This study revealed that female secondary school students have poor knowledge of breast cancer. A good proportion of them knew that BSE could be used as a screening method for breast cancer but only few had practiced BSE. There is need for adequate health education on breast cancer and BSE among adolescent females in Nigeria.

Background: As per the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) approximations, there were 19.3 million cancer cases worldwide in 2020, and approximately 10 million cancer cases were from low- and middle-income countries. Breast cancer accounts for a quarter (23%) of malignancy in women worldwide. Breast health awareness and commitment to screening procedures can help reduce the cancer burden. Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to assess nursing students’ knowledge of the early detection of breast cancer. Furthermore, we conducted an educational program to demonstrate the correct technique for the self-examination of breast cancer. Our secondary goal was to assess the knowledge of breast self-examination before and after the planned teaching program. Material and Methods: This pre-experimental prospective study was conducted at the Department of Nursing at the Lakshmi Bai Batra College of Nursing, New Delhi, India. Participants answered a structured questionnaire (r, 0.80) and participated in an educational program. A post-test was administered after the pretest and teaching program. Results: We enrolled 30 nursing students. Prior to the scheduled educational program, the participants were evaluated for their knowledge of breast cancer and breast self-examination; the mean and standard deviation for knowledge of breast cancer was 5.3 ± 1.3. Knowledge of breast self-examination significantly increased after the planned teaching program (P, 0.050). Conclusions: The nursing students in the study lacked appropriate knowledge of breast cancer and breast self-examination. Following the delivery of the suggested instructional program, the nursing students’ knowledge improved.

Objective: In the past 20 years, breast cancer incidence in the world has a dramatic increase of 50-100%, which strongly supports the need for breast cancer prevention, and screening programs.The purpose of this study was to identify and investigate the knowledge and practice of breast self examination (BSE) with the influencing factors on the compliance of (BSE) among female nurses. Methods: A study was conducted between January and December 2002. Female nurses (80) from Prince Rashid Military Hospital constituted the study population. The questionnaire contained items on the demographic characteristics of the respondents, knowledge of breast cancer; attitudes toward BSE and questions regarding the practice of BSE. The analysis included descriptive statistics to examine the association between BSE and medical history, knowledge of BSE and attitudes toward BSE. Results: The results of the study indicated that 52% of the sample performs BSE. Approximately 30% of those who perform BSE said they learned information regarding BSE during their work experience. The significant relation was found between higher levels in work experience and BSE practice. Except for age, no significant relation was found between the socio-demographic factors and BSE practice. The sample showed strong belief in breast lump as a causing factor of breast cancer and had significant correlation with BSE practice. Conclusion: Positive correlations were found between nursing work experience and their practice in BSE as working nurses. Studies like these can enhance the knowledge regarding BSE among nurses and other medical professionals.

BackgroundThe high breast cancer mortality rate in Sub-Saharan Africa has been attributed to a lack of public awareness of the disease which often leads to late diagnosis of the disease. Little is known about the level of knowledge and awareness of breast cancer in Angola. Previous studies have shown that breast cancer awareness is higher among well-educated people. The goal of this study was to assess breast cancer knowledge and awareness among university students in Angola.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey of university students using a self-administered questionnaire to investigate participants’ awareness and knowledge of breast cancer. A total of 595 university students in medical and non-medical programs successfully completed the survey.ResultsOur results showed insufficient knowledge of breast cancer among university students in Angola irrespective of whether they were in medical or non-medical programs. The majority of the participants were not aware of some of the early signs of breast cancer such as change in color or shape of the nipple, even though they appreciated the need for monthly breast self-examination. Overall most of the participants indicated the need for increased breast cancer awareness among university students.ConclusionThe study points to the insufficient knowledge of university students in Angola about breast cancer. We expect that our results may provide useful data that may be used by the department of health in Angola and other African countries to formulate health education programs aimed at increasing awareness and promote screening and early detection of breast cancer in the continent.

Introduction: Most women in previous studies held pessimistic views about the curability of breast cancer (BC) (58.2%). The health belief model (HBM) has been used in several studies as a theoretical framework to study breast self-examination (BSE) and other breast cancer detection behaviours. This study was designed to identify the level of BC awareness and BSE knowledge, attitude and practice of Saudi women. Objectives: To study the attitude of Saudi women towards BC and BSE using the HBM. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in an ambulatory care centre at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 118 women were interviewed using a prevalidated Arabic questionnaire to collect data on (1) knowledge and practice of BSE, (2) knowledge of breast cancer, risk factors, warning signs and screening tools and (3) perception towards BC susceptibility, seriousness, benefits and barriers of screening and curability using HBM. For data analysis, a scoring system was applied by which the total scores of each of knowledge and perception domains and percentage mean scores were presented graphically. Results: Only one-third of all women reported previous practice of BSE (36.4%). Percentage mean score of knowledge was 52.9±22.9 for general knowledge, 60.9±30.4 for warning signs and only 43.1±24.0 for risks factors of BC. According to HBM, percentage mean score of different domains of perception to BC were as follows: seriousness (55.4±14.5), benefits (74.2±13.3), barriers (40.5±13.0), susceptibility (45.0±16.3), motivation (74.4±12.0), confidence (54.7±14.7). Those with knowledge of BC screening tests were as follows: 37.6% for mammogram, 41.7% for clinical breast exam and 55.1% for BSE. Conclusions: Generally speaking, levels of knowledge on BC and its risk factors and warning signs were less than satisfactory. Although women reported a positive attitude towards the benefits of screening their was low perception to susceptibility. Therefore, conduction of mass education campaigns on BC are necessary. Acknowledgements: Professor Mostafa Aboalfotouh and Ala’ a Bani Mustafa for supervising this project.

ABSTRACTBackgroundBreast cancer remains a major global health issue, with early detection playing a key role in reducing mortality rates. University students represent an important population for promoting health responsibility and preventive behaviors such as breast self‐examination (BSE). Peer education has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance health‐related knowledge and practices among young adults.ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the impact of peer education on early breast cancer detection, health responsibility, health beliefs, knowledge, and practices among university students.MethodsThis randomized controlled experimental study involved 244 students (124 in the intervention group and 120 in the control group). Data were collected using a Demographic Information Form, the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Knowledge Test (CBCKT), the Champion's Health Belief Model (CHBM), and a BSE skill assessment test. The intervention group received education on breast cancer and BSE. Both groups were assessed 6 months after the intervention. Data analysis included frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Chi‐square, eta squared, independent samples t‐test, and paired samples t‐test.ResultsBefore the peer education, no significant differences were observed between the groups. However, following the intervention, significant improvements were noted in breast cancer knowledge, health responsibility, health beliefs, and BSE practices in the intervention group. Additionally, while only 4.8% of students performed BSE in 12 steps before the intervention, this increased to 58.1% after the education.ConclusionsPeer education significantly enhanced breast cancer knowledge, health responsibility, health beliefs, and BSE practices. Nurses play a vital role in supporting these interventions, promoting early detection, and improving health outcomes through targeted education strategies.

ABSTRACTBackgroundBreast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide; early detection improves prognosis while reducing mortality and morbidity.AimsThis study evaluates awareness, knowledge, and health‐seeking behaviors related to breast cancer among women attending Bibiani Municipal Hospital in Ghana, where data on awareness is scarce.Methods and ResultsThis cross‐sectional study involved 160 women attending the Bibiani Municipal Hospital. Validated questionnaires were used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, awareness and knowledge of breast cancer, breast self‐examination (BSE), and health‐seeking behaviors. Categorical variables were presented as frequency and percentages. Logistic regression was used to determine the independent predictors of adequate knowledge of breast cancer. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (version 26.0) and GraphPad Prism (version 8.0). p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Most participants were within 36–50 years (47.5%) and had no formal education (30.6%). Only 14.4% reported a family history of breast cancer. The majority (87.5%) were aware of breast cancer. However, only about 44% and 46% exhibited adequate knowledge regarding the risk factors, signs, and symptoms of breast cancer. The majority identified obesity (87.5%) and family history (80.6%) of breast cancer as risk factors, while most participants also identified a lump (68.1%) and pain (60%) in the breast as signs and symptoms. Education, employment status, age, and awareness of breast cancer were significantly associated with knowledge of breast cancer (p < 0.05). Only 47.5% were familiar with BSE, and BSE was performed by just 35.5% of participants. The majority (74.4%) indicated they would seek immediate help for a breast lump.ConclusionDespite high awareness of breast cancer, knowledge of its risk factors and the signs and symptoms was lacking, with over half unaware of breast self‐examination (BSE). Health education campaigns by women‐friendly organizations are crucial to improving awareness of symptoms, risk factors, and BSE in the Bibiani municipality.

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequent invasive cancer and the leading cause of death and disability in women. Early screenings and other preventive actions recommended by the health ministry are able to detect breast cancer early. Everyone has a chance of developing breast cancer, including medical professionals who significantly have a positive attitude toward breast self-examination (BSE). However, previous studies showed that knowledge of breast cancer and self-examination is excellent, but practice is generally low. Objective: This study examined the nurses' knowledge and practice of BSE. Methods: A cross-sectional study with convenience sampling was conducted on 122 nurses at the UiTM Clinical Training Centre, Sungai Buloh. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of 41 questions was used to assess the understanding and use of BSE. Findings were analyzed using SPSS version 25 with a chi-square test to determine the association between sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge and practice of BSE. Result: Findings show that 72.1% had adequate knowledge of BSE and 50.8% had moderate practice. Furthermore, age, marital status, and level of study were statistically significant with knowledge and practice of BSE, where the p-value was less than 0.05. Conclusion: Breast self-examination remains an important investigation tool for the early diagnosis of breast cancer, despite other screening methods. The study's findings suggest further exploration of knowledge and practice of BSE by nurses because the knowledge they have will be beneficial to the community in increasing awareness of BSE, thus preventing breast cancer.

Background: In India, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are estimated to be 63% of all deaths, and cancer is one of the leading causes (9%). In 2022, there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer and 670,000 deaths globally. Breast cancer mortality rates are primarily due to inadequate knowledge about the disease's risk factors, warning signals, and breast self-examination (BSE). Methods: A Hospital-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 106 reproductive age group women excluding those diagnosed with breast cancer by nonprobability sampling. A structured questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge of breast cancer and BSE. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20 with inferential statistics using chi-square test. Results: Breast cancer knowledge was good in 70 (66%). 79 (74.5%) of the respondents had heard about BSE and out of them only 31 (29.2%) of respondents had practiced BSE. Not knowing the correct method was the most frequently reported reason for non-performance in 59 (55.7%). Only 8 (7.5%) of the women had received information about breast cancer from health professionals while a majority 53 (50%) stated that their source of information was family and friends. Higher educational level was found to be significantly associated with knowledge of breast cancer (p=0.003). A significant association was observed between knowledge and practice of BSE. (p=0.003). Conclusions: A two third of the Participants had good knowledge of breast cancer; however, the practice of BSE is still lacking. Therefore, BSE practice needs to be promoted among women for early detection of breast cancer and prompt management.

This study aims to identify the knowledge and attitude towards breast self-examination among undergraduate nursing students in the public university at Peninsular Malaysia. The method used in the study is a cross-sectional descriptive study that was conducted among 188 undergraduate students studied in a public university at Peninsular Malaysia. The level of knowledge and attitude of breast self-examination (BSE) measured using self-administered questionnaires. All data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics 23.0 for Windows. The result of the study showed 33% of respondents had experienced BSE. 79.3% of respondents have good knowledge of cancer breast and BSE. 86.7% of respondents know about BSE and 35.1% of respondents had a positive attitude towards BSE. The educational level was found to have a significant relationship with an overall knowledge of breast cancer and BSE (p &gt;0.001), and attitude towards BSE (p &gt;0.001) and breast self-examination experienced (p &gt;0.001). In conclusion, nursing students had good knowledge of breast cancer but they had not experienced BSE and have a negative attitude in practising BSE. An intervention should be designed to enhance nursing students’ proficiency in performing BSE.

Background: Early diagnosis and treatment remain the main effort to reduce breast cancer mortality. Breast self-examination (BSE), professional breast examination (PBE) and mammography are the most effective ways recommended worldwide to detect breast cancer at an early stage when chances of survival are the highest. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the awareness of breast cancer, awareness and practice of breast self-examination among rural women of Kwami Local Government Area in Gombe State, Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study of 420 women was conducted. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect data that were analyzed at the univariate, bivariate, and multivariate levels using SPSS version 23.0 and the p-value of 0.05 was set to be statistically significant. Results: The mean ±SD age of respondents was 37 ± 16.1 years. Only 59.3% of respondents were aware of breast cancer. Of all the participants studied, 83.5% knew about breast self-examination and only 13.7% practiced it. Age, religion, marital status, occupation, education level and tribe were found to have a statistically significant association with breast cancer awareness (p &lt;0.05). Awareness of breast self-examination had a statistically significant association with religion, marital status, occupation, and level of education (p&lt;0.05). Religion, marital status, occupation, level of education, awareness of breast cancer and awareness of breast self-examination had a statistically significant association with the practice of breast self-examination. After adjusting for the confounding effects of each significant variable using logistic regression analysis, religion, occupation, level of education, knowledge of breast cancer, and breast self-examination remained significant predictors of the practice of breast self-examination among respondents. Conclusion: The knowledge of breast cancer is low amongst the rural women. However, majority of the women were aware of breast self-examination, but only a few practiced it. Religion, occupation, level of education, awareness of breast cancer and breast self-examination of the respondents were predictive of the practice of BSE.

Background: breast cancer is a progressive disease, there are three screening tests essential for early detection; clinical breast examination (CBE), X-ray mammography and breast self-examination (BSE). Lack of knowledge and wrong beliefs about cancer breast prevention among women affect adversely on their perception of cure from early detection of the cancer and of screening tests effectiveness. Aim of the work: this baseline study aimed to assess the awareness of females in Al-Ahsa about breast cancer and their practice of BSE. Materials and Methods: this was a cross‑sectional research, a self‑administered survey was used a questionnaire was distributed to 400 females aged between 20 and 70 years. The questionnaire was divided into three domains: socio‑demographic characteristics, the respondent’s knowledge of breast cancer and BSE and their experience of breast cancer screening and breast self-examination (BSE). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23. Results: the overall response rate was 93.3%. Approximately half of the respondents were highly educated (Bachelor degree) 109 (59.6 %). Of 319 female that responded only 98 (39.7%) had good awareness of breast cancer. 281 (88.1%) perceived the cause to be brought about by smoking. This was followed, in descending order, by 272 (85.3%) who felt that the old age caused breast cancer, 264 respondents (82.8%) attributed the cause to hereditary, 211 (66.1%) attributed the cause to oral contraceptive use. Most of the participants were aware about the protective effect of the breast feeding and multiparty against breast cancer, 306 (95.9%), 247 (77.4%) respectively Overall, 114 (35.7%) of the participants aware of breast cancer knew of BSE as a method for the early detection of breast cancer and only 14 (4.4%) had ever performed. Conclusion: the current status of awareness of breast cancer in Al-Ahsa and their use of BSE are insufficient. Women need to be encouraged to self‑monitor in order to detect abnormalities in their breasts. Appropriate educational interventions are urgently required to encourage women to engage in regular BSE.