Knowledge and perception of breast cancer and its treatment among Malaysian women: Role of religion

Noraida Mohamed Shah,Nies Yong Hui,Ernieda Mhd Hatah,Farida Hanim Islahudin,Billy Lim Tzyy Nan

doi:10.4314/tjpr.v16i4.30

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the association between religiosity, perceptions, and knowledge of breast cancer and its treatment among women in Malaysia. Methods: Knowledge and perceptions of breast cancer and its treatment were determined via a questionnaire adapted from previous studies. The Duke Religion Index was used to measure participants’ religiosity. The questionnaires were distributed among women in public areas in Kuala Lumpur. Results: A total of 384 women participated in this study. Non-organisational religious activity (NORA; r = -0.113, p < 0.05) and intrinsic religiosity (IR; r = -0.183, p < 0.01) were significantly negatively correlated with knowledge of breast cancer. NORA (r = 0.115, p < 0.05) and IR (r = 0.229, p < 0.01) were positively, significantly correlated with the perception that patients who underwent treatment for breast cancer can enjoy good quality of life. There was also a significant positive correlation between NORA (r = 0.175, p < 0.05) and IR (r = 0.249, p < 0.01) on the statement that spiritual support improves treatment for breast cancer. IR was the only subscale positively, significantly associated with the perception of choosing breast-conserving surgery as a primary treatment choice (r = -0.111, p < 0.05) and dietary therapies (r = 0.126, p < 0.05) or acupuncture (r = 0.120, p < 0.05) as alternative treatments for breast cancer. Conclusion: Religiosity should be considered in improving women’s knowledge and perceptions of breast cancer and its treatment. Keywords: Breast cancer, Knowledge, Perceptions, Religiosity

Highlights

The incidence rate of breast cancer is the second highest across all types of cancers and ranks as the fifth cause of cancer deaths overall [1]
A cross-sectional study was conducted from August to December 2015 on the associations between religiosity and knowledge and perceptions of breast cancer and its treatment among women
Women with higher Non-organisational religious activity (NORA) and intrinsic religiosity (IR) scores agree that women receiving treatment for breast cancer enjoy good quality of life

Summary

Introduction

The incidence rate of breast cancer is the second highest across all types of cancers and ranks as the fifth cause of cancer deaths overall [1]. Breast cancer has an age-standardized incidence rate of 38.7 for every 100,000 people in Malaysia, which is higher than the average incidence for the rest of South-Eastern Asia at 34.8 for every 100,000 people [2]. With Thailand, is encountering increased breast cancer mortality rates, in contrast to other Asia-Pacific countries. Malaysia recorded an increment of 6 % per year between 1997 and 2008, practically identical to the increment in Thailand, reported as 7 % per year from 2000 to 2006 [2]. The problem of late diagnosis in Malaysia is significant; approximately 50–60 % of women are typically in stages 3 or 4 at the first diagnosis of breast cancer. It is believed that several factors have contributed to delays in presentation with breast cancer, such as strong beliefs in traditional medicine, negative sociocultural perceptions of breast cancer, poverty, lack of education, fear, and denial [3]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion