Abstract
Objective: Breast Self-Examination (BSE) is an early detection method of breast cancer. It is able to develop responsibility for breast health among women to always aware of any changes in the breast. Thus, secondary school girls age is the perfect age to start practice the BSE. The purpose of this study is to determine the level of knowledge and awareness on BSE among secondary school girls in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 502 secondary school girls using self-administered questionnaire covering socio-demographic data, knowledge and awareness of breast cancer and knowledge and awareness of BSE. Results: The mean age of the participants is 14.9 ± 0.06 years. The majority of the participants were Malays (86.5%). A total of 6.1% of the participants had a family history of breast cancer. Nine percent of participants had a good knowledge and 91.0% had poor knowledge regarding BSE. There is a significant difference between the age of participants with the level of knowledge and awareness (p = 0.014). Conclusion: The knowledge and awareness of BSE were poor among secondary school girls in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.
Highlights
Most breast cancers occur in older women [1] where the rates of breast cancer increased on age of 40 and highest in women in age of 50 to 59 [2] incidence rate for breast cancer among all adolescents and young adults increased rapidly between 15 and 39 years of age [3]
The questionnaire was pre-test on 30 secondary female girls which not included in the final sample with the section regarding knowledge on breast cancer with α = 0.85 and section regarding knowledge on Breast Self-Examination (BSE) with α = 0.79
School-age girls are fit for the target for early exposure regarding knowledge of breast cancer and early detection method of breast cancer
Summary
Most breast cancers occur in older women [1] where the rates of breast cancer increased on age of 40 and highest in women in age of 50 to 59 [2] incidence rate for breast cancer among all adolescents and young adults increased rapidly between 15 and 39 years of age [3]. Breast Self-Examination (BSE) is a self-inspection technique where women will examine their own breasts by observing and palpating with their fingers to detect any abnormal changes and lumps It is a monthly examination of the breast by women at the end of menstrual flow [6]. It is an important screening tool for early detection of breast cancer because it is cheap, widely available and does not require complex technical training [7]. It enhances the sensitivity and alert on abnormal changes at earliest, so that women are aware of any breasts changes detected during BSE [8]. It is recommended for raising women’s awareness of the importance of BSE
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