Roya Zare; Zahra Karimian; Nahid Zarifsanaiey
Abstract
Background: Breast Neoplasms is believed to be one of the most prevalent types of cancer in women. In the early stages, the disease could be diagnosed and controlled by breast self-examination (BSE). However, attitude barriers stop women to BSE on a number of occasions. We conducted the present study ...
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Background: Breast Neoplasms is believed to be one of the most prevalent types of cancer in women. In the early stages, the disease could be diagnosed and controlled by breast self-examination (BSE). However, attitude barriers stop women to BSE on a number of occasions. We conducted the present study to investigate the attitude barriers of breast self-examination from the perspective of women who referred to health centers affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS). Methods: The current research was conducted as a cross sectional method from August to September 2019 on women aged 20- 60 years referring to health centers affiliated to SUMS. The participants were selected with simple Random sampling and 101 complete questionnaires were returned. The data collection tool was the researcher-made questionnaire comprising 5 components (12 items) in Likert scales. The obtained data were analyzed with SPSS22 software using One sample T-test, Independednt T-test, and Pearson correlation. Results: Except for the component of mental beliefs (P=0.92), all the other components were significantly lower than expected (p <0.001). The mean scores were for embarrassment (2.85±0.48), previous knowledge (2.93±0.69), negligence (3.03±0.49), and fear of breast mass (3.05±0.43). Attitudinal barriers decreased with the increase in education (P=0.01). Moreover, regarding the evaluation of the correlation between the components, the highest correlation was between previous knowledge effect and negligence (r=0.66), embarrassment (r=0.52), fear of breath mass (0.50). Additionally, the correlation between negligence and fear of breast madd was found to be 0.52. Conclusion: Since certain factors, such as incorrect previous knowledge, examination-associated embarrassment, fear, and forgetfulness are barriers to BSE, designing educational programs at different ages and educational levels seems to be essential, for adolescents in particular. To eliminate previous misconceptions and attitudes, creating good culture through public media and social networks could be effective.
Avita Rose Johnson; Mitchell Singstock; Cency Baburajan; Suchitra Bajaj; Sulekha Thimmaiah
Abstract
Background: The low breast cancer survivorship in India compared to developed countries has been found to be attributed to late detection. Breast self-examination (BSE) still remains a viable screening option among poor and marginalised communities. We conducted the present study to determine breast ...
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Background: The low breast cancer survivorship in India compared to developed countries has been found to be attributed to late detection. Breast self-examination (BSE) still remains a viable screening option among poor and marginalised communities. We conducted the present study to determine breast cancer awareness and practice of BSE and their determinants among urban underprivileged women.Methods: We conducted this cross-sectional study in an urban underprivileged area in Bangalore city in early 2020, among women aged 25 years or more. Our sample size was estimated as 714 subjects. The interview schedule included Breast Cancer Awareness Measure We employed chi-square test for associations and logistic regression analysis for adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals.Results: Out of the 751 women, 60.3% were not aware of any symptoms and 61.1% were not aware of any risk factors of breast cancer. Only 6% had heard of BSE and 3.4% reported performing BSE in the past year. The practice of BSE was found to be more prevalent among women who were aware of at least one symptom [OR=6.8(2.5-18.2), p <0.001] or one risk factor [OR=12.9(3.9- 43.6), p <0.001] of breast cancer and among those with past attendance at a breast cancer screening camp [OR=31.4(13.3-74.1),p <0.001].Conclusion: Poor awareness concerning breast cancer and woefully inadequate practice of BSE among urban underprivileged women highlights the requirement for targeted interventions in such communities. The importance of awareness of breast cancer as a precursor to practice BSE was evident in our study, which emphasizes the need for increased access to quality and credible health information. This study emphasizes the importance of community-based programming, like breast cancer screening camps, in order to improve practice of BSE.