Breast cancer literacy among higher secondary students: results from a cross-sectional study in Western Nepal

Abstract

BackgroundBeing the most common cancer among women worldwide, it is vital to be well-aware of breast cancer risk factors, symptoms and curability. However, few studies have reported breast cancer literacy in students using a validated instrument.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among students of grades 11 and 12 from eleven higher secondary schools, one selected randomly from each ilaka of Parbat district. Questionnaire with modified Comprehensive Breast Cancer Knowledge Test was self-administered to 516 students. Knowledge score was categorized into two categories: ‘good knowledge’ and ‘poor knowledge’ taking median score as the cut-off. Chi-square test was used to determine difference in knowledge by socio-demographic factors, including gender.ResultsOnly 4.8 % of the students responded correctly to at least half of the items, and 1.4 % did not respond correctly to any of the items on risk factors and curability. Physical exercise was identified as a protective factor of breast cancer by 62.4 % of the students. Presence of noncancerous breast lumps (56.6 %) and being overweight (36.4 %) were recognized as the risk factors. Knowledge of lumpectomy and radiation therapy for treatment of breast cancer was reported by 42.8 % of students, while only 39.0 % were aware of the availability of treatment therapies other than mastectomy. Males were significantly better informed than females (χ2 = 4.02, p = 0.045). Pain in the breast (23.3 %), change in the shape of the breast (20.0 %) and discharge of pus (14.1 %) were the three most commonly recognized symptoms. Nearly one in two (47.1 %) students indicated that the school curriculum inadequately informed them on breast cancer.ConclusionOur study demonstrates poor knowledge on breast cancer risk factors, symptoms and curability among higher secondary school students in Western Nepal. Still, several myths regarding breast cancer persist. Half of the students had the perception that school curriculum inadequately informed them on breast cancer. Future studies should aim at the measures necessary to address the inadequate knowledge, along with the perceived gap in school curriculum.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-016-2166-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Metabonomics studies on serum and urine of patients with breast cancer using 1H-NMR spectroscopy

“…Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers and the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide [1]. The clinical diagnostic methods for breast cancer include physical examinations, mammography and histopathology.…”

Current status of breast cancer in Nepal

“…A study by Bhandari PM et al, showed that the overall knowledge level of breast self-examination among Nepalese women was low to moderate. 29 In remote areas of Nepal women's disbelief that events are governed by fate and no one could change the course of the events. These kind fatalistic attitudes are responsible for late detection of breast cancer in Nepal.…”

“…Some limited studies in Nepal have shown that the awareness level about risk factors and early detection measures of breast cancer among Nepalese women such as clinical breast examination (CBE) and breast selfexamination (BSE) was low. 9,10,29 Furthermore a crosssectional study conducted in western Nepal among higher secondary students found that the students have a poor knowledge on many breast cancer risk factors, symptoms and curability and most of them had misleading information about age, early menarche and delayed menopause as the risk factor. 29 In Nepal cancer prevention, education, and access to cancer screening tests as well as cancer treatment are inadequate.…”

“…9,10,29 Furthermore a crosssectional study conducted in western Nepal among higher secondary students found that the students have a poor knowledge on many breast cancer risk factors, symptoms and curability and most of them had misleading information about age, early menarche and delayed menopause as the risk factor. 29 In Nepal cancer prevention, education, and access to cancer screening tests as well as cancer treatment are inadequate. In collaboration with national and international organizations government should develop a policy and guidelines for effective control of breast cancer in all seven provinces of Nepal.…”

Breast Cancer in Nepal: Current status and future directions (Review)

“…Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that irrespective of their socio-economic and educational backgrounds, Nepalese women had poor knowledge of the risk factors of breast cancer (8,9,50). Although age, education, household income and family history of breast cancer are reported to be significantly associated with awareness level, a study on breast cancer literacy among higher secondary students demonstrated that students had poor knowledge on breast cancer risk factors, symptoms and curability (50). Furthermore, most of the students lacked awareness of age, early menarche, delayed menopause and use of the oral contraceptive pill as being the risk factors for breast cancer.…”