A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY TO ASSESS KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE CONCERNING BREAST CANCER AND BREAST SELF EXAMINATION PRACTICE AMONG WOMEN

Abstract

It is important to assess the existing knowledge and practices related to breast cancer and its screening in the general population in order to design and initiate effective health promotion strategies for protecting and reducing mortality against breast cancer. Women must have enough understanding and knowledge about breast self-examination and breast cancer to help them in conducting breast self-examination on a regular basis and to help in the early diagnosis of the cancer if they notice any changes in their breasts. So, this study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, practice of women in Thiruvananthapuram of South Kerala regarding breast cancer and breast self-examination. Data was collected from 233 women in age group of 20 - 60 years in Kerala. All women in the study were highly aware of the breast cancer risk factors. Majority 84.6% had good knowledge about breast cancer whilst, 15.4% of them had poor knowledge about breast cancer. 165 (73.1%) participants agreed as breast cancer is preventable. 209 (92.3%) participants were agreed that female above 20 years should practice breast self-examination frequently and 191 (84.6%) participants agreed that Breast self-examination should be made mandatory for all female. 217 (96.2%) participants agreed that female must be educated about breast self-examination. This study revealed a larger proportion of respondents have heard about breast cancer and breast selfexamination but with adequate knowledge of the correct procedures of breast self-examination (BSE) thereby resulting into good attitude & practice of breast self-examination (BSE).