Awareness about Early Detection Methods, Symptoms and Risk Factors towards Breast and Cervical Cancer among the Female Students of Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University (MBSTU), Santosh, Tangail, Bangladesh

Abstract

The study was conducted to ensure knowledge, attitude, awareness about breast and cervical cancer among the female students of Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University. This study was carried out from July to September, 2015 among the participants of university female halls, different female hostels and different faculty of the university by using a validated questionnaire which was developed for this study. A total 250 female students, at the age of (18 -26) years were participated. Collected information was analyzed using SPSS, Graph-pad Prism and MS Excel. The results showed that about 87.6% participants were undergraduate. Most of them come from village (45.6%) and city (36.0%). About 90% were Muslims and the socioeconomic level of most of the participants was middle (90.4%). In case of food intake patterns, it was observed that 35.6% participants eat chips, soft drinks, popcorn everyday; 40.4% eat meat regularly; 24% eat sugar everyday; 27.6% eat fruits and vegetables every day. Among them, 55.6% girls maintained daily 1 hour physical activity; 37.2% did exercise rarely; 34.8% participants rarely do strenuous exercise. About 84.4% respondents have not any family history of cancer; 6% participants have sister or mother having breast tumor and 7.2% have at least more than one close relative who have cancer. Among the participants, only 0.8% drank alcohol; 1.2% have addiction of smoking cigarette; 15.6% girls wear tight bra; 3.6% have benign breast disease and 2.8% participants have attended in breast or cervical cancer screening programs. The 50moderate numbers of girls have breast cancer screening practice. Among them, only 28.8% participants have ever heard about BSE (Breast self-examination) and 40.4% have not any knowledge about breast cancer treatment. About 50.8% respondents don't have any knowledge about cervical cancer treatment. The village people are the most risky group. About 17.02% girls recognized weakened immune system as a risk factor of cervical cancer. It can be concluded that, knowledge of participants regarding breast and cervical cancer is poor. Targeted education should be implemented to improve the knowledge of respondents about early detection methods and symptoms of breast and cervical cancer.

Factors influencing menstrual regularity among female workers: a cross-sectional analysis study

“…However, in a study examining the prevalence of menstrual cycle disorders in physically active women with a BMI of less than 18.5 kg/m 2 , half of the underweight women reported menstrual cycle disorders [ 34 ]. Additionally, a study conducted on medical students aged 18–25 years reported a relationship between low BMI and irregular menstrual cycles [ 35 ], and a study conducted on female college students aged 18–26 years also reported a relationship between low body weight and irregular menstrual cycles [ 36 ]. In this study, the relationship between being underweight and menstrual cycles was not found.…”

Are Menstrual Patterns Associated with the Body Mass Index of University Students? A Descriptive Study in Mangalore, Karnataka, India

“…The following tools were used in this study to collect data; a demographic proforma was used to collect demographic variables, a self-reported menstrual pattern questionnaire was used to identify the menstrual pattern among students that questionnaire with 12 items was developed by the investigator. 2 7 8 9 It includes menstrual characteristics and menstrual problems. The details of the menstrual cycle, including cycle length, number of days the period lasts, menstrual flow, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, polymenorrhagia, oligomenorrhea, hypomenorrhea, and amenorrhea, are measured by a self-reported menstrual pattern questionnaire.…”

“…13,14,19 Continued obesity in adulthood will cause earlier sexual maturity and an irregular menstrual cycle. 6,7 Menstrual cycle regularity is highly influenced by BMI. 4 The most notable alteration in girls is the beginning of menstruation, a common and natural process that occurs in women after puberty.…”

“…13 14 19 Continued obesity in adulthood will cause earlier sexual maturity and an irregular menstrual cycle. 6 7…”

“…In addition, lower age, obesity, family history, inappropriate nutritional diet, and reduced frequency of breakfast meals per week are the other factors. 5,[7][8][9] The prevalence of menstrual disorders in India has been recorded as high as 87%. 6 Various types of menstrual disorders are prevalent, namely menstrual irregularity, menorrhagia amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea polymenorrhagia, and dysmenorrhea'.…”