Abstract
IntroductionAccording to recent statistics, there has been a rapid growth of breast cancer in developing countries. Thus, early detection is essential. This study is based on the perception of people in the Northeast of Iran regarding breast cancer screening.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, 1469 women were selected randomly in the period from April to November 2016. The study population consisted of women or their companions referring to outpatient clinics or people in public urban areas who filled out a breast cancer screening questionnaire in an interview.ResultsThe patients’ age was in the range of 14 to 84 years (mean = 38.8). More than 84% of interviewees were not informed of breast cancer and screening tests. The main reasons mentioned by patients for their failure to do screening tests was ‘absence of any symptom or problem’ and ‘they did not think it was necessary’.There was not a significant difference between income level, marital status and knowledge of people about breast cancer screening tests (P > 0.05). However, employment, education level and family history had a positive effect on people’s awareness of breast cancer and its screening tests (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe lack of knowledge in people from low socio-economic classes was the main barrier to breast cancer screening. In this regard, organizing training programs by physicians and the media can help raise screening rates.
Highlights
IntroductionThere has been a rapid growth of breast cancer in developing countries
According to recent statistics, there has been a rapid growth of breast cancer in developing countries
More than 84% were not well informed about breast cancer and its screening tests
Summary
There has been a rapid growth of breast cancer in developing countries. Conclusion: The lack of knowledge in people from low socio-economic classes was the main barrier to breast cancer screening. In this regard, organizing training programs by physicians and the media can help raise screening rates. Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer among women in Iran and other parts of the world [1] It is still a major health problem in both developing and developed countries. In a 2000 study, 70% of breast cancer cases in Iran were diagnosed at Stage III [4] The results of another 2006 study revealed that after raising awareness and knowledge of patients, 60% of cases were diagnosed at Stage II [5]
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