Knowledge, Perception, Practice and Barriers of Breast Cancer Health Promotion Activities among Community Pharmacists in Two Districts of Selangor State, Malaysia

Abstract

Asian Pacific J Cancer Prev, 13 (9), [4427][4428][4429][4430] IntroductionBreast cancer is the commonest cancer in women in most parts of the world and across all ethnic groups in Malaysia. According to the statistics reported by the National Cancer Patient Registry (NCPR) of Malaysia, 1 in 20 women will develop the disease in their life time (Yip et al., 2006).Early detection is a key to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with breast cancer. However, most of the patients in Malaysia present with advanced stage of the disease on their initial visit to the public hospitals (Hisham and Yip, 2004; Nur et al., 2007). Hence, there is a need to facilitate the early breast cancer detection (Hadi et al., 2010).Community pharmacists could play a vital role to educate the public about breast cancer and the importance of early detection (El Hajj and Hamid, 2011). As reported by Anderson (2000) and Krass et al. (2003) AbstractBreast cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among women in Malaysia. Despite the campaigns undertaken to raise the awareness of the public regarding breast cancer, breast cancer screening rates are still low in the country. The community pharmacist, as one of the most accessible healthcare practitioners, could play a role in the provision of breast cancer health promotion services to the community. However, there are no documented data regarding the community pharmacists' involvement in breast cancer related health promotion activities. Hence, this study was conducted to examine self-reported knowledge, practice and perception of community pharmacists on provision of breast cancer health promotion services and to investigate the barriers that limit their involvement. This cross-sectional survey conducted between May to September 2010, included a sample of 35 community pharmacists working in the districts of Hulu Langat and Sepang in state of Selangor. A 22-item validated questionnaire that included both closed and Lickert scale questions was used to interview those pharmacists who gave their informed consent to participate in the study. The data was analysed using SPSS. Only 11.3% of the community pharmacists answered all the questions on the knowledge section correctly. The mean overall knowledge of the community pharmacists on risk factors of breast cancer and screening recommendations is 56%. None of the respondents was currently involved in breast cancer health promotion activities. Lack of time (80%), lack of breast cancer educational materials (77.1%) and lack of training (62.9%) were the top three mentioned barriers. Despite these barriers, 94.3% (33) of the community pharmacists agreed that they should be involved in breast cancer health promotion activities. Hence, there is need to equip community pharmacists with necessary training and knowledge to enable them to contribute their share towards prevention and screening of breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Screening Barriers from the Womans Perspective: a Meta-synthesis

“…Lack of knowledge and awareness, with a recurrence of 15 out of 21 studies was one of the most important breast cancer screening barriers from women's point of view that is in accordance with the results of previous studies in this field (Al-Naggar and Bobryshev 2012; Beshir and Hanipah 2012;Guvenc et al, 2012). Therefore scheduling and implementation of effective interventions to increase awareness and knowledge of women especially in rural and deprived regions seems to be an important affair.…”

Association of Knowledge and Cultural Perceptions of Malaysian Women with Delay in Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer: a Systematic Review

“…Several articles mentioned low income as one of main barriers to early diagnosis (Rosmawati, 2010b;Kanaga et al, 2011;Beshir and Hanipah, 2012;Farid et al, 2014). This is particularly true since, as Farid et al highlighted, earning an income allows some female empowerment and thus leads to better health practices.…”

“…Some of the reported barriers to seeking early treatment include the lack of aspects such as social support (Rosmawati, 2010a;Al-Dubai et al, 2011), trust in the system, time, health insurance coverage, training, physician recommendation, breast cancer educational materials and transportation, language barriers, having a low income, being a single woman and not having any breast related complaints (Rosmawati, 2010b;Kanaga et al, 2011;Beshir and Hanipah, 2012;Farid et al, 2014). These issues are greatly magnified among the Orang Asli or indigenous people, as will be explained later (Farid et al, 2014).…”

“…This can be done by carrying out health promotion campaigns in public places and health facilities, especially in community pharmacies. Pharmacists, who are easily accessible and recognized as experts in matters of health, could offer public health interventions more conveniently than other health care providers (Beshir and Hanipah, 2012). Health education should emphasize the importance of early detection and include information addressing the various concerns related to medical interventions, such as side-effects and cost (Abdullah et al, 2011).…”

COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS’ INVOLVEMENT IN BREAST CANCER HEALTH PROMOTION IN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE)

“…Early screening for breast cancer saves patients' breasts and increases their chances of complete recovery. Public awareness about breast cancer should be improved as well as screening and early breast cancer detection shall be emphasized (Beshir and Hanipah, 2012).…”