Knowledge of Risk Factors for Breast Cancer in Adolescents in the City of Vitoria da Conquista

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The estimated new cases of female breast cancer in Brazil is 52 per 100, 000 women. This study aims to describe the adolescents’ profile and their knowledge concerning the risk factors related to female breast cancer in public High Schools located in the urban area in Vitoria da Conquista – Bahia. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This study is exploratory, descriptive and explanatory with qualitative and quantitative approaches. The age group surveyed included adolescents having from 10 to 19 years of age.53 adolescents attending two schools in the city were randomly selected. A structured form containing bio-sociodemographic profile questions about breast knowledge and risk factors concerning cancer was used. The partial data analysis was descriptive and the statistical data processing application used was the Microsoft Excel 2010. RESULTS: We found out that 98% of the student had between 15 and 19 years of age, 94% were single, 57% stated as being brown/mulattos, 96% said that the mobile phone and television have been the most used means of communication by them, and 71% have available access to internet at home. They mentioned as normal in breast development the following items: total absence of the breast (11%), absence of one or both nipples (5%), hardened lumps in the breast (18%), secretion gone out through the nipple (5%). Concerning the breast cancer risk factors, 66% had menarche between 11 to 13 years and weigh from 50 to 70 kg, 66% said not using alcoholic beverages, 98% said no being smokers, 49% reported consuming fruit, grains and vegetables daily. The contraceptive methods that appeared in the survey and were used by adolescents were contraceptive pills (13%), injectable (5%) and condoms (16%). 20% of the students have a relative with breast cancer (64% aunts, grandmothers 9%, 27% other (cousin, aunt-grandmother, not stated) DISCUSSION: Although the adolescents have access to the mass midia, they have confused or unstable opinions about breast development once some mentioned items which are considered pathological or abnormal as normal ones. Some were described as risk factors for breast cancer due to the profile which was presented in the study. It s noticeable the lack of information regarding the adolescent population in breast development and risk factors for cancer, which suggests more specific work on education about breast cancer in this population.