Education and cancer prevention: knowledge of brazilian students about breast cancer. Lagarto, Brazil, 2014

Abstract

Introduction: breast cancer is the leading cause of death among Brazilian women, 57 120 new cases are expected in 2015. Therefore, there is the need for strategic actions aimed at prevention and early diagnosis. Health education is an action directed on the knowledge of people, and this process helps to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality statistics. Objective: to identify the knowledge level of students in relation to breast cancer, its risk factors and how to prevent them. Material and methods: this is a quantitative, descriptive and exploratory research. Healthcare academics at Federal University of Sergipe conducted a presentation targeted to high school students from public schools, dramatizing real situations, emphasizing prevention and early diagnosis of breast cancer, and after that, they performed data collection using a questionnaire related to breast cancer prevention. Ethical issues were followed according to Resolution 466/12 of the National Health Council. Results: the sample consisted of 185 students, mostly female, between 18 to 20 years old, attending high school. In the last three years, 80.5% reported having received information on breast cancer; 53% received information on breast self-examination. Even after receiving knowledge about the prevention of breast cancer, 61.1% did not perform the breast self-examination; among the ones who did it, 64.9% did not find changes in the breast. Knowledge and awareness of women about breast cancer seem to be related to the delay in diagnosis and also in adherence to screening practices. Conclusion: most people received information about breast cancer, but do not use it correctly. Even though not being able to change some risk factors such as age and family history, the information about prevention is useful for women to know their risks and can take a conscious attitude to early detection. MÉD UIS. 2016;29(1):37-44.

Knowledge, Beliefs, and Attitudes About Breast Cancer Screening in Latin America and the Caribbean: An In-Depth Narrative Review

“…The reviewed articles revealed the range of women’s knowledge about BCA and prevention, including the finding that knowledge seems to be related to the degree to which screening and diagnosis are delayed. 20 A study found that Nicaraguan women who were more knowledgeable about breast health were significantly more likely to have a CBE 12 ; in Mexico, most women in one study reported having received vague information about BCA and were most knowledgeable about physical changes associated with its presentation. 26 Women in Brazil, when questioned about specific screening tests, revealed that approximately 77% were aware of at least one screening modality, but nearly 40% were not able to correctly name the examination, and approximately 20% were not aware of any examination.…”

“…Several articles from Brazil show ranges of knowledge, from 7.4% with adequate general knowledge 8 to 94% who have heard of mammography. 6 Seventy-eight percent from another study did not agree that one needs a mammogram instead of a CBE, 20 and 16% considered mammography unnecessary. 23 A major reason for nonperformance in 38% of a Brazilian sample was lack of knowledge of its use to detect asymptomatic cancer.…”

“…Relationships and conversations with friends, 16 , 17 , 20 , 23 , 29 family, 16 , 17 , 20 , 23 , 29 and coworkers 16 , 17 , 20 were important information sources about BCA and screening. In Barbados 17 and Mexico, 26 these sources were family members or others with whom women had close relationships and who had had firsthand BCA experiences.…”

“…In Mexico, 26 , 39 Peru, 19 Brazil, 20 Trinidad and Tobago, 16 , 23 and Barbados, 17 media, including newspapers, television, and radio, was an important information source. For women in Mexico, 26 Trinidad 16 and Barbados, 17 especially for educated women in urban areas, the Internet was also used.…”

“…26 However, in one study, only 1% of Colombian women used it to obtain BCA information. 35 Other sources included flyers from health centers, 23 , 26 schools, 20 , 26 and churches. 20 In one study, barriers seemed much higher: in Barbados, information about mammography was so scarce that women instead turned to resources about other, more popular, diseases, such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS.…”