Awareness of breast cancer and estimation of its predicted future risk among females of urban slums of or above 35 years of age: a cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Early detection and identification of the risk factors is crucial in minimizing morbidity and mortality arising due to breast cancer. Research has proven that, physiotherapist as a part of multidisciplinary team, plays an important role in treating these patients after surgery. However, evidence suggesting the role of physiotherapist in the domain of health promotion and prevention is limited. Thus an effort is made in this study to explore the level of awareness about the risk factors and prevention and to predict the percent risk of having breast cancer in future five years.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in the urban slums of Turbhe. 200 females aged 35 years and above were selected. A self structured questionnaire was formed using Gail’s model. The questionnaire was validated and a house to house survey was conducted.Results: 67.5% females thought that alcohol/tobacco consumption carried the highest risk of breast cancer. 61.5% females were aware of lack of breast feeding as the risk factor for breast cancer. 74% females did not know about breast self – examination while 78.5% had not heard about mammography as screening methods for breast cancer prevention. 14.5% females carried a high risk of getting breast cancer in the future five years.Conclusions: Awareness of study participants about breast cancer was very poor. There is a need for awareness programs to educate women about risk factors and promotion of early detection of breast cancer.

Risk Factors of Breast Cancer Among Women – A Cross-Sectional Study in Selected Slums of Bhubaneswar City, India

“…18 In a cross-sectional study among slum women above 35 years in Mumbai by Aurangabadkar SK et al in 2019 reported a higher proportion (12.5%) of participants had family history of breast cancer and 4% participants had underwent breast biopsy for history of benign breast disease. 19 In comparison the prevalence of family history of breast cancer and a history of previous biopsy due to benign breast disease in this study is lower. This may be attributed to the difference in geographical location and difference socio-cultural factors.…”

“…The study reported 8% women to be nulliparous, 5.5% participants gave birth after the age of 30. 19 Lower prevalence of nulliparous women and women giving birth after age of 30 in this study might be because this study is conducted in the urban slums and therefore the participants get married at an early age and also give birth at an early age of life.…”

A comparative study to evaluate the effectiveness of constructive teaching program (CTP) and self-instructional module (Sim) on knowledge regarding breast cancer among B.Ed students of selected B.Ed College, Hubballi-Dharwad

“…The global burden of Breast cancer is expected to cross 2 million by the year 2030, with growing proportions from developing countries. Although age-standardized incidence rates in India are lower than in the United Kingdom (UK) of 25.8 versus 95 per 100,000, mortality rates are nearly as high as 12.7 versus 17.1 per 100,000, respectively as those of the UK [6] . Breast cancer incidence rates within India display a 3-4 fold variation across the country, with the highest rates observed in the Northeast and in major metropolitan cities such as Mumbai and New Delhi [6] .…”

“…Although age-standardized incidence rates in India are lower than in the United Kingdom (UK) of 25.8 versus 95 per 100,000, mortality rates are nearly as high as 12.7 versus 17.1 per 100,000, respectively as those of the UK [6] . Breast cancer incidence rates within India display a 3-4 fold variation across the country, with the highest rates observed in the Northeast and in major metropolitan cities such as Mumbai and New Delhi [6] . An educational interventional study found that there was about 25.71% of improvement of knowledge on Breast cancer and Breast Self-Examination (BSE) among school teachers, it was proved that Educational Interventional Program was effective, and also there is a need for a brief knowledge among school teachers regarding breast cancer [7] .…”