Awareness about Early Detection Methods, Symptoms and Risk Factors towards Breast and Cervical Cancer among the Female Students of Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University (MBSTU), Santosh, Tangail, Bangladesh

Abstract

The study was conducted to ensure knowledge, attitude, awareness about breast and cervical cancer among the female students of Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University. This study was carried out from July to September, 2015 among the participants of university female halls, different female hostels and different faculty of the university by using a validated questionnaire which was developed for this study. A total 250 female students, at the age of (18 -26) years were participated. Collected information was analyzed using SPSS, Graph-pad Prism and MS Excel. The results showed that about 87.6% participants were undergraduate. Most of them come from village (45.6%) and city (36.0%). About 90% were Muslims and the socioeconomic level of most of the participants was middle (90.4%). In case of food intake patterns, it was observed that 35.6% participants eat chips, soft drinks, popcorn everyday; 40.4% eat meat regularly; 24% eat sugar everyday; 27.6% eat fruits and vegetables every day. Among them, 55.6% girls maintained daily 1 hour physical activity; 37.2% did exercise rarely; 34.8% participants rarely do strenuous exercise. About 84.4% respondents have not any family history of cancer; 6% participants have sister or mother having breast tumor and 7.2% have at least more than one close relative who have cancer. Among the participants, only 0.8% drank alcohol; 1.2% have addiction of smoking cigarette; 15.6% girls wear tight bra; 3.6% have benign breast disease and 2.8% participants have attended in breast or cervical cancer screening programs. The 50moderate numbers of girls have breast cancer screening practice. Among them, only 28.8% participants have ever heard about BSE (Breast self-examination) and 40.4% have not any knowledge about breast cancer treatment. About 50.8% respondents don't have any knowledge about cervical cancer treatment. The village people are the most risky group. About 17.02% girls recognized weakened immune system as a risk factor of cervical cancer. It can be concluded that, knowledge of participants regarding breast and cervical cancer is poor. Targeted education should be implemented to improve the knowledge of respondents about early detection methods and symptoms of breast and cervical cancer.

Are Menstrual Patterns Associated with the Body Mass Index of University Students? A Descriptive Study in Mangalore, Karnataka, India

“…Moderate blood flow was reported by 62% of respondents, 24% had heavy blood flow, and 14% had scanty or little blood flow. 7 Supporting the findings of this study, a study conducted by Ganesh et al reported that none of the respondents revealed of having a short menstrual period, with majority falling into having a normal menstrual period. We conclude from the available evidence and this study results that the majority of female students have irregular menstrual periods.…”

“…In addition, lower age, obesity, family history, inappropriate nutritional diet, and reduced frequency of breakfast meals per week are the other factors. 5,[7][8][9] The prevalence of menstrual disorders in India has been recorded as high as 87%. 6 Various types of menstrual disorders are prevalent, namely menstrual irregularity, menorrhagia amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea polymenorrhagia, and dysmenorrhea'.…”

“…5 The increasing trends are the prevalence of childhood obesity, early puberty and menarche, and ethno-racial differences in the effect of BMI on the reproductive characteristics of young female. 7 One of the important factors that contribute to menstrual disorders is body weight, more specifically body fat content. 18 Nutritional status has the potential to cause disruption to the reproductive health of young women.…”

“…13,14,19 Continued obesity in adulthood will cause earlier sexual maturity and an irregular menstrual cycle. 6,7 Menstrual cycle regularity is highly influenced by BMI. 4 The most notable alteration in girls is the beginning of menstruation, a common and natural process that occurs in women after puberty.…”

“…13 14 19 Continued obesity in adulthood will cause earlier sexual maturity and an irregular menstrual cycle. 6 7…”