Determining the Awareness of and Compliance with Breast Cancer Screening among Turkish Residential Women

Background: One of the most important reasons for the high mortality rates of cancer is the low level of awareness, which can lead to a late diagnosis and treatments starting too late. Therefore, it is necessary for individuals, especially at younger age, to gain awareness and integrate taking the necessary precautions into their lifestyle in order to prevent cancer and ensure early diagnosis. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of awareness of factors for major cancers among students studying in two different campuses of a university in the Western Black Sea Region. Materials and Methods: This descriptive/cross-sectional study was performed between January-March 2014. Students studying in the 2013-2014 academic year in a university in the Western Black Sea Region in two separate campuses were the subjects. Results: The mean age was 21.01±3.63. While female students (51.2%) were the majority in the health sciences campus (74.8%), male students (48.8% ) were the majority in the social sciences campus (76.5%). Some 9.6% of the students from the health sciences campus and 12.4% of the students from the social sciences campus thought that cancer was communicable, while most of the students from both campuses knew that smoking caused cancer. It can also be seen that the rate of answering questions regarding cancer correctly was higher among students studying in the health sciences campus. Conclusions: It was determined that students who do not study at the health sciences campus have insufficient information on cancer, cancer symptoms, and the possibility of breast cancer in males and approximately half of them regarded obesity as a risk factor for cancer.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cancer Awareness among University Students in Turkey

Kürtüncü¹,

Akhan²,

Celik³

et al. 2014

“…Early detection of breast cancer can be achived by performing clinical breast examination, mammography and Breast self-examination (BSE) (Ersin and Bahar, 2013;Yilmaz et al, 2013). Although BSE alone is not sufficient for early detection of breast cancer, but it is still an important screening tool for early detection of breast cancer in developing countries, because it is cheap, widely available, and does not require complex technical training (Giridhara et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge of Female Undergraduate Students on Breast Cancer and Breast Self-examination in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Akhtari-Zavare

Latiff²,

Juni³

et al. 2015

Background: In Malaysia, breast cancer is the first cancer among females regardness of race. Aim: The purpose of this study was to identify the knowledge and BSE practice among undergraduate female students at four public universities in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 820 undergraduate female students using a self-administered questionnaire covering socio-demographic data, knowledge of breast cancer and BSE practice. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 21.7±1.2 years. The majority of them were single (96.8%), Malay (91.9%) and 16.5% of respondents had a family history of breast cancer. This study showed low level of knowledge on breast cancer and breast self-examination among participants. Only 19.6% participants were performing BSE regularly. Knowledge of breast self-examination was significantly associated with BSE practice (p=0.00). Also, there were significant associations between performing BSE with age, marital status and being trained by a doctor for doing BSE (p<0.05). Conclusions: Our findings showed that the rate of BSE practice and knowledge of breast cancer is inadequate among young Malaysian females. A public health education program is essential to improve breast cancer prevention among this group.

“…Early detection of breast cancer plays an important role in reducing its morbidity and mortality. Breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination and mammography are recommended for detecting breast cancer at an early stage (Ersin and Bahar, 2013;Yilmaz et al, 2013). Although, there is debate surrounding the efficacy of routine BSE in early detection of breast cancer (Giridhara et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge of Breast Cancer and Breast Self-Examination Practice among Iranian Women in Hamedan, Iran

Akhtari-Zavare¹,

Baghestan²,

Latiff³

et al. 2014

Background: In Iran, breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women and a major public health problem. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out to determine knowledge on breast cancer and breast selfexamination (BSE) practices of 384 females living in the city of Hamadan, Iran. A purposive sampling method was adopted and data were collected via face-to-face interviews based on a validated questionnaire developed for this study. Results: Among respondents 268 (69.8%) were married and 144 (37.5%) of the respondents reported having a family history of breast cancer. One hundred respondents (26.0%) claimed they practiced BSE. Level of breast cancer knowledge was significantly associated with BSE practice (p=0.000). There was no association with demographic details (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings showed that Iranian women's knowledge regarding breast cancer and the practice of BSE is inadequate. Targeted education should be implemented to improve early detection of breast cancer.