Breast cancer among young girls: a KAP study conducted in Lahore

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Breast cancer is the second most frequently occurring malignant tumour. It's a progressive disease hence gradually developing into more fatal form from very small lesion. Knowledge and awareness about risk factors, symptoms and screening methods reduces the mortality and morbidity.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lahore. Data was collected anonymously on self-administrated questionnaire regarding awareness and knowledge about risk factors, presentations of breast cancer and screening practices about breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> A total of 400 females participated in this study. 34% had heard of BSE, 30% of CBE and 29.5% of the mammography. Only 21.8% had ever performed BSE and 14% had ever received CBE. On enquiring the reasons for not performing BSE 29% did not know how to do it and 14.3% indicated embarrassment as the cause of not performing CBE. Regarding the source of information internet was identified as the most popular one (64.8%) followed by breast cancer campaigns (58.5%). Participants had inadequate knowledge about risk factors and its presentations. There is much lack of information about mammography but participants were aware of the age (35-40years) to start this screening procedure.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Our studies revealed lack of awareness and knowledge with regard to breast cancer and it screening methods. There is utmost need to enhance the awareness and encouraging the performance of BSE, CBE and mammography among females from very young age to reduce its incidence.</p>

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Breast Cancer Screening Among Health Science Students in Shahrekord City, Iran

“…Majority of them indicated education, internet, TV and university as their main source of information on breast cancer. This is similar to the finding by Khalid et al (2018) on Breast cancer among young girls: a KAP study conducted in Lahore which revealed that Internet, TV, breast cancer campaigns, friends and relatives and health professionals are their major source of information on breast cancer 11 .…”

Breast cancer: knowledge, attitude and practices among undergraduate female students at a government college in Koppal, Karnataka

“…10,[14][15][16] On the contrary, majority of the study participants in few other studies done in different parts of the country have quoted family history of breast cancer as the major risk factor. [17][18][19][20] When asked about symptoms, majority mentioned any mass/lump in the breast followed by pain in line with the findings of many other studies. 8,11,14,15,20 Regular exercise was considered as one of the major protective factor against the occurrence of breast cancer by more than 60% of study participants in the present study in confirmation to the findings of other studies.…”

“…8,11,14,15,20 Regular exercise was considered as one of the major protective factor against the occurrence of breast cancer by more than 60% of study participants in the present study in confirmation to the findings of other studies. 10,12,18 More than half of the participants in present study believed that they are not at risk and remaining were unaware but none positively believed that they are at risk of developing breast cancer. But still, majority i.e.…”

“…8,11 A number of other studies have found out a high proportion of participants practicing BSE on contrary to the findings of present study. 10,[13][14][15][16]18…”

Knowledge on Breast Cancer among College Students

“…Study conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of BSE among females in medical and non-medical colleges in Qassim University showed that both the categories of the students do have a positive level of knowledge regarding BSE, even though they lack at practicing it [8]. The cross-sectional study on breast cancer among young girls in Lahore there is a lack of knowledge and awareness regarding breast cancer and its screening methods is present among young girls [9]. A similar cross-sectional study for evaluation of breast cancer awareness among female university students in Zarqa University, Jordan shows that 88% of them had poor levels of awareness of breast cancer scale, 56% had knowledge about breast cancer symptoms, 90% had knowledge about risk factors of breast cancer and 72% had high and medium attitude towards breast cancer treatments.…”