Abstract
Breast cancer is the commonest type of cancer among women, and in Malaysia 50-60% of the new cases are being detected at late stages. Do age, education level, income, ethnicity, relationship with breast cancer patients and knowledge of breast cancer risk factors influence breast screening practices? This study revealed interesting but significant differences. To assess the knowledge of breast cancer risk factors and early detection measures among women in a high risk group. A cross sectional survey of one hundred and thirty one women relatives of breast cancer patients was carried out. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, during hospital visits. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The majority of the respondents (71%) had poor knowledge of the risk factors for breast cancer. Income, relationship with a patient and practise of breast cancer screening predicted performance of mammography, R2=0.467, F=12.568, p<0.0001. The finding shows inadequate knowledge of breast cancer risk factors and poor cancer screening practise among women with family history of breast cancer. Poor knowledge and practise of breast screening are likely to lead to late stage presentation of breast cancer disease. Some important predictors of breast cancer screening behaviour among women with positive family history of breast cancer were identified. An understanding of the strengths and significance of the association between these factors and breast screening behaviour is vital for developing more targeted breast health promotion.
Highlights
Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer related deaths among women across the globe (Hisham and Yip, 2003; 2004; Agarwal et al, 2009; Secginli and Nahcivan, 2011; Al-Azmy et al, 2012)
Breast cancer is the commonest type of cancer among women, and in Malaysia 50-60% of the new cases are being detected at late stages
This study describes knowledge of the risk factors for breast cancer and screening practices among women with positive family history
Summary
Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer related deaths among women across the globe (Hisham and Yip, 2003; 2004; Agarwal et al, 2009; Secginli and Nahcivan, 2011; Al-Azmy et al, 2012). It is known that women with positive family history of breast cancer in first-degree relatives (mother, sister, or daughter) are twice at risk of developing breast cancer than women without positive family history of breast cancer, and the risk increases three to four folds if a woman has 2 or more first-degree relatives who have breast cancer (Norman and Brain, 2005; Allen et al, 2010). Education level, income, ethnicity, relationship with breast cancer patients and knowledge of breast cancer risk factors influence breast screening practices? Conclusions: The finding shows inadequate knowledge of breast cancer risk factors and poor cancer screening practise among women with family history of breast cancer. Poor knowledge and practise of breast screening are likely to lead to late stage presentation of breast cancer disease. An understanding of the strengths and significance of the association between these factors and breast screening behaviour is vital for developing more targeted breast health promotion
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
