Abstract
BackgroundBreast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Cameroon, breast cancer causes as many as 10.7 deaths per 100,000 women making it the second cause of cancer mortality. Better documenting women’s knowledge and practices on breast cancer and breast self-exam (BSE) would be useful in the design of interventions aimed at preventing breast cancer. This study sought to 1. describe Cameroonian women’s knowledge of breast self-examination (BSE); 2. assess their impression on the practice of BSE and 3. describe their perceptions on the causes, risk factors and prevention of breast cancer.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in a volunteer sample of 120 consenting women in Buea, Cameroon. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire self-administered by study participants.ResultsThe sample was fairly educated with close to three quarters (70.83%) having completed high school. Nearly three quarters (74.17%) of participants had previously heard about BSE, however as many as 40% had never done a BSE. Although 95% of participants believed that breast cancer could be prevented, only 36.67% recognized breast examination as a prevention method. A substantial 13.33% thought that breast cancer could be prevented with a vaccine while 45% thought that dieting or exercising would prevent breast cancer. Similarly, 70% of participants thought that breast cancer could be treated, with 35.83% thinking that it could be treated medically while 34.17% thought it could be treated traditionally or spiritually.ConclusionsThe practice of BSE while perceived as being important is not frequent in these women in Buea, Cameroon. Health education campaigns are imperative to elucidate the public on the causes, risk factors and prevention of breast cancer. Further studies need to explore what interventions could be best used to improve the uptake and practice of BSE.
Highlights
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide
Participants’ knowledge, practice and perceptions on breast self-examination Nearly three quarters (74.17%) of participants had previously heard about BSE (Table 2)
95% of participants believed that breast cancer could be prevented, only 36.67% recognized breast examination as a breast cancer prevention method
Summary
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Cameroon, breast cancer causes as many as 10.7 deaths per 100,000 women making it the second cause of cancer mortality. Describe Cameroonian women’s knowledge of breast self-examination (BSE); 2. During the same period an estimated 35,427 women died from breast cancer - a crude mortality rate of 12.8 per 100.000 women [3]. Prevention remains the cornerstone of the fight against breast cancer worldwide. BSE continues to be recommended by health care practitioners because it is free, painless and easy to practice. Despite this potential, there is very little data indicating the uptake and practice of BSE in Cameroon. Little is known concerning women’s knowledge about breast cancer, their knowledge on BSE and their practice of BSE
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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.
