Abstract
Breast cancer is the top cancer in women worldwide and its incidence is increasing, particularly in developing countries. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), many cases are first diagnosed in later stages and at younger age compared to those seen in developed countries. Early detection in order to improve breast cancer outcome and survival remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control. Performance of breast self examination is one of the important steps for identifying breast disease at an early stage, by the woman herself. No information has hitherto been available about the frequency of this practice among female university students in UAE or about their breast cancer risk perception and therefore the present study was conducted in Ajman. It was found that 22.7% of the participants practiced BSE but only 3% of them practiced BSE monthly. Marital status but not age as significantly associated with age likelihood. The most frequent reported barriers for BSE were lack of knowledge, considering oneself not at risk and the absence of doctor advice. These factors need to be taken into account in intervention efforts.
Highlights
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the world
No information has hitherto been available about the frequency of this practice among female university students in United Arab Emirates (UAE) or about their breast cancer risk perception and the present study was conducted in Ajman
The low survival rates in less developed countries have been attributed to the lack of early detection programmes, resulting in a high proportion of women presenting with late-stage disease, as well as lack of adequate facilities for diagnosis and treatment
Summary
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the world (www.who.int/cancer/detection/ breastcancer/en/index1.html). Breast cancer is thought to be a disease of the developed world, majority (69%) of breast cancer deaths occur in developing countries (http://www.who.int/healthinfo/global_burden_ disease/GBD_report_2004update_full.pdf). The low survival rates in less developed countries have been attributed to the lack of early detection programmes, resulting in a high proportion of women presenting with late-stage disease, as well as lack of adequate facilities for diagnosis and treatment (www.who.int/cancer/detection/ breastcancer/en/index.html). Diagnosis is an important strategy, in low- and middle-income countries where the diseases is diagnosed in late stages and resources are very limited. The most important strategy in improving survival and breast cancer outcome is still breast cancer screening and early detection (www.who.int/cancer/ detection/breastcancer/en/index1.html). To assess breast cancer risk perception of female university students
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