Abstract
The burden of breast and cervical cancer in terms of incidence and mortality in low- and mid-income countries is increasing daily due to late diagnosis, unhealthy lifestyle choices, late presentation, and poor attitude to screening. Early detection increases the chances of survival. This present study assessed Assam women’s breast and cervical cancer screening (CCS) awareness, the practice of breast self-examination (BSE), and uptake of human papillomavirus vaccines. An internet-based cross-sectional questionnaire was utilized to obtain 251 consenting respondents. The mean age of respondents was 27.8 ± 6.91. Only 205 (81.7%) and 110 (43.8%) respondents have satisfactory levels of BCS, and CCS knowledge, respectively. While only 76 (30.3%) respondents had satisfactory BSE practice. Age range (26 – 32 years), tertiary education, and being single were demographic characteristics that influenced knowledge and practice. Though the respondents had a satisfactory knowledge level, screening uptake among respondents is very poor as only 32 (12.7 %) had ever been screened and only 19 (7.6 %) ever been vaccinated. The major reasons for poor screening uptake were “no symptoms” and “not aware of screening location”. Most respondents (227, 90.4 %) are willing to go for screening if well oriented. This presents an opportunity to enhance awareness about screening and vaccination among Assam women. The media/internet and health practitioners can be leveraged to promote the uptake and utilization of screening services and BSE practice. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0304-5 Full Text: PDF
Highlights
Breast and cervical cancer are major public health challenges
An estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases and about 10 million cancer deaths were reported in 2020 out of which 1,324,413 new cancer cases with 851,678 deaths were reported in India [1]. 178,361 (26.3 %) breast cancer cases and 123,907 (18.3 %) cervical cancer cases were the most prevalent of the new 678,383 cancer cases reported in Indian women in 2020 [1]
Breast and cervical cancers are not spontaneous but develop with age and time [2], the present study aims to assess the knowledge of Assam women about breast cancer screening (BCS), cancer screening (CCS), and breast self-examination (BSE) practice
Summary
Breast and cervical cancer are major public health challenges. Globally, an estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases and about 10 million cancer deaths were reported in 2020 out of which 1,324,413 new cancer cases with 851,678 deaths were reported in India [1]. 178,361 (26.3 %) breast cancer cases and 123,907 (18.3 %) cervical cancer cases were the most prevalent of the new 678,383 cancer cases reported in Indian women in 2020 [1]. 178,361 (26.3 %) breast cancer cases and 123,907 (18.3 %) cervical cancer cases were the most prevalent of the new 678,383 cancer cases reported in Indian women in 2020 [1]. Breast and cervical cancer are the leading cause of cancer burden in Indian women. The burden of breast and cervical cancer in terms of incidence and mortality in low- and mid-income countries is increasing daily due to late diagnosis, unhealthy lifestyle choices, poor attitude, and late presentation for screening [2]. Almost all cancer cases especially breast and cervical cancer are highly preventable and have high chances of survival if detected early [3]. Late presentation for screening or diagnosis is a common limitation to optimal cancer care in low- and mid-income countries [2]
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