Knowledge and Attitudes about Breast Cancer among Women: A Wake-Up Call in Nigeria

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Preventable deaths resulting from the scourge of breast cancer has become alarming and worrisome in many societies in developing countries, including Nigeria. Of much concern is the fact that breast cancer has continued to claim the precious lives of young, middle-aged, old, educated and non-educated women irrespective of their religion, socio-economic background and socio-demographic characteristics.
 AIM: This study attempts to ascertain the knowledge and attitudes of women to breast cancer in Ogun State, Nigeria.
 METHODS: The study adopts both primary and secondary data sources to examine the level of knowledge and attitude of women towards breast cancer with the view of suggesting probable solutions and recommendations for policy.
 RESULTS: The result indicates that the awareness about breast cancer is overwhelming but only few women know about mammography; women in older age are 0.193 times less likely to attend breast cancer screening (p=0.000). Older women with secondary education that are either self-employed outside the home or full-time housewives are unfavourably disposed to breast cancer screening.
 CONCLUSION: The authors recommend that concerned stakeholders in the health sector and policy decision makers should intensify action on cancer programmes and campaigns that could target older women especially housewives and women in middle level education.

Breast Cancer Perception Scale: Psychometric Development Study

“…The level of perceived fear can impact women's breast cancer protective behavior. Studies point out that women experience fear of receiving a breast cancer diagnosis and losing one or both breasts (5,(30)(31)(32). Similarly, another study revealed that women with high breast cancer fear get fewer mammographies in 12 months (33).…”

“…Perceived risk is an important factor affecting breast cancer protective behavior (5,(30)(31)(32). Witnessing their loved ones difficulties and pain during the breast cancer process increases perceived breast cancer fear and perceived breast cancer risk (34,35).…”

Moderating Role of Demographic Characteristics in Breast Cancer Awareness and the Behavioural Disposition of Women in Ogun State, Nigeria

“…Knowledge is indeed central to the curtailment of breast cancer as knowledge empowers and liberates from ignorance. For women to present early to the hospital, they need to be breast aware, and they must be able to recognise the symptoms of breast cancer [18], [34], and for this to happen they need to be equipped with accurate and timely information. The right information about breast cancer will enable women to detect their symptoms early and seek medical attention on time.…”

Ailesel meme kanseri öyküsü olan ve olmayan kadınlarda meme kanseri tanılama davranışları

“…Meme kanseri, Türkiye'de kadın kanserlerinin %24.4'ünü oluşturmaktadır ve 2018 yılında toplam 22 345 yeni meme kanseri vakası tanılanmıştır 3 . Küresel kanser istatistikleri, meme kanseri vakalarının arttığını ve bu artışın orta ve düşük gelirli ülkelerde daha hızlı gerçekleştiğini bildirmektedir 4 .…”

“…Meme kanserinin sık görülmesi, sıklığının giderek artması, erken evrelerde tedavi edilebilir olması ve erken tanılamanın mümkün olması meme kanserinin önemini daha da arttırmaktadır. Literatürde sosyodemografik ve kültürel faktörler, risk algısı, meme kanseri tanısı alma ve memeyi kaybetmeye ilişkin korku gibi faktörlerin meme kanseri tanılama davranışlarını etkilediğine dikkat çekilmektedir 4,[18][19][20] . Bir çalışmada meme kanseri korkusunu orta düzeyde yaşayan kadınların erken tanı davranışı gösterme oranlarının yüksek olduğunu; buna karşın korku düzeyinin düşük ve yüksek olmasının davranış üzerinde olumsuz etkisi olduğu bildirilmiştir 21 .…”