A Qualitative Assessment of Breast Cancer Awareness in an Urban Indian City

Abstract

Objective: To assess the awareness of breast cancer and associated risk factors among educated women from an urban population in Mumbai, India. Materials and Methods:A self-directed questionnaire-based survey was used. The questions were based on, life style habits, medical history, menstrual and contraceptive history, risk factor awareness and screening for breast cancer.Results: Nine hundred and fifty women were invited for the survey, 763 responded. The mean age of the cohort was 31 years (range 18 -60). Knowledge about screening and breast self-examination (BSE) was evident in 682 (89.38%) of respondents. Furthermore, 334 (44%) of respondents were previously informed about BSE), of which 148 (19%) regularly performed a BSE. Awareness of breast cancer screening with mammography was reported by 310 (41%) subjects. Forty-two women (6%) had undergone mammography screening, with increased incidence among homemakers compared to professionals and students. Conclusion:The current study highlights the need for outreach programs to educate women about breast cancer and inform them about prognosis and selfevaluation methods for diagnosing the disease. In addition strategies to improve the compliance of breast screening programs are needed. Keywords:

Breast Cancer Awareness Survey

“…With growing evidence of the link between cancer and modifiable danger elements, along with obesity, hypertension, smoking, alcohol intake, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, it's far vital to growth public awareness of these factors and devise strategies to introduce early life-style adjustments on a worldwide degree.Eleven-sixteen Smoking, alcohol use, in addition to low fruit and vegetable consumption, have been suggested to be the leading threat factors for from cancer global. [6] In our conducted study majority of participants 59.8% agrees to the statement that smoking Tabaco increase the risk of breast cancer. Then we assessed another risk factor of breast cancer i.e., increasing age of women our majority of participants 78.7% was aware of it.…”

“…Early detection remains the priority for countrywide cancer control programs. [6] The target of this study was to investigate the breast cancer awareness among different university students of Punjab. The results indicates that 99.2% participants had been aware of breast cancer while only 1 participant does not know about it.…”