Knowledge and Awareness about Breast Cancer and its Early Symptoms among Medical and Non-Medical Students of Southern Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Breast cancer is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally but has an even more significant impact in developing countries. Pakistan has the highest prevalence among Asian countries. A general lack of public awareness regarding the disease often results in late diagnosis and poor treatment outcomes. The literacy rate of the Southern Punjab (Pakistan) is low compared to its Northern part. It is therefore vital that university students and especially medical students develop a sound knowledge about the disease so that they can spread awareness to others who may be less educated. This study therefore considers current knowledge and understanding about the early signs of breast cancer amongst a study group of medical and non-medical university students of the Southern Punjab, Pakistan. A cross-sectional descriptive analysis of the university students was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire to assess their awareness of breast cancer from March to May 2014. A total of 566 students participated in this study, out of which 326 were non-medical and 240 were from a medical discipline. Statistical analysis was carried out using Graph Pad Prism Version 5 with a significance level set at p<0.05. The mean age of the non medical and medical participants was 23 (SD 2.1) and 22 (SD 1.3) years, respectively. Less than 35% students were aware of the early warning signs of the breast cancer development. Knowledge of medical students about risk factors was significantly better than the non medical ones, but on the whole was insufficient. Our study indicated that knowledge regarding breast cancer was generally insufficient amongst the majority of the university students (75% non-medical and 55% medical) of Southern Punjab, Pakistan. This study highlights the need to formulate an awareness campaign and to organize conferences to promote breast cancer awareness among students in this region.

Knowledge, Attitude, Practice towards Breast Cancer and Breast Self-examination among Female Undergraduate Students in Karachi, Pakistan

“…Fortunately, the bulk of the students in our study (76.1%, n=290) identified lump and nipple discharge 59.6% (n=227 as important symptom of Breast cancer Tis is higher than a local study which has reported an overall inadequate knowledge of sign symptoms of breast cancer where only 37.4% identified lump and 21% mention pain as chief symptoms of disease [20]. In our study also it was noticed that 64% (n=244) respondents have misconception that pain is an important symptom of breast cancer but a study in Punjab showed better understanding of respondents regarding pain that it does not always indicate breast cancer [21]. Similarly a survey conducted in Angola also showed deficient knowledge among university students about early sign of BC and recommended educational programs to increase the awareness to encourage screening and early detection [14].…”

“…Similar result was reported in another Pakistani research [20] conducted on 1304 females of 18 years and above in Karachi and Islamabad which has reported that 60.3% considered it as a major health problem. However, another study conducted in Punjab on medical and non-medical students showed that 73% nonmedical and 80% medical students knew that BC is the most prevalent cancer among Pakistani women [21].…”

“…44.4% of the aware candidates stated that they acquired this knowledge from social media. 21.5% had a positive family history. Mammography as a diagnostic modality was considered the most helpful by 61.4% population.…”

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

“…Early warning signs and regular screenings of breast can help in early detection and treatment of disease. 10 A family history of breast cancer, and genetic mutations are seen to be the main factors which amplify the risk of development of breast cancer in women 7 although risk factors for developing this disease may be genetic, hormonal, sociobiological, physiological, environmental, high cholesterol diet, obesity, lifestyle, early menarche, late menopause, nulliparity, late first child and no breastfeeding. 2,5,11 Women living in developing countries like Pakistan have scarce knowledge about breast cancer and its screening methods hence the purpose of our study was to know the level of information about the disease, so that different measures could be taken to enhance the knowledge and prevent the mortalities and morbidities.…”

Women’s Views on Handling and Managing Their Breast Cancer in Pakistan: A Qualitative Study

“…A recent report from Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center (SKMCH & RC) in Lahore, Pakistan shows 45.9% of malignancies to be breast cancer among adult females from December 1995 to December 2009 [8]. Breast cancer statistics in Pakistan have not been exact or adequate due to the absence of a cancer registration system at national level [8,9]. …”