Knowledge and Practices on Breast Cancer among Bangladeshi Female University Students: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: Breast cancer (BC) is the leading and most prevalent form of cancer among women in Bangladesh and worldwide. The objectives of this study were to assess the existing knowledge on breast cancer and the practices of breast self-examination among female Bangladeshi university students. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out among the 276 female university students. Data were collected by face-to-face interview by using a pre-tested questionnaire.Results: The study results indicate that most of the participants were well informed about breast cancer. Predominantly mentioned signs of breast cancer was a lump in the breast followed by pain in the breast or nipple. The correct responses of breast cancer risk factors were exposure to radiation (58.20%), positive family history (47.6%), obesity (46.9%), lack of physical exercise (43.6%) and smoking (43.2%). The students were well informed about breast self-examination for early diagnosis, but they were not properly informed about frequency. Only 17% reported that they practiced breast self-examination. Respondent’s age, religion, marital status, having a problem in Breast and practices of breast self-examinations were significantly associated (p<0.05) with the knowledge scores in different aspects of breast cancer.Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the female students had inadequate knowledge on different aspects of BC and low compliance to recommended BSE practices. Initiating BC educational programs among university students is highly recommended for the early detection and treatment of this increasingly alarming disease.

Knowledge towards breast cancer, and breast self-examination practices and its barriers among university female students in Bangladesh: Findings from a cross-sectional study

“…The copyright holder for this this version posted October 26, 2021. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.10.20.21265262 doi: medRxiv preprint 'presence of lump in the breast' (48%) and ' change in the shape of the breast or nipple' (42.9%), although 'inverted nipple' was known as a warning sign of breast cancer by only 29% of the students [12]. In another study on female university students of Egypt, breast lump was the most commonly identified (81.6%) symptom of breast cancer [13], though the percentage was significantly higher than our study implying that the awareness regarding symptoms of breast cancer needs to be improved in Bangladesh.…”

“…A pre-tested, self-reported, semi-structured questionnaire including informed consent, socio-demographic information and questions related to knowledge towards breast cancer, BSE practices and its barriers, was prepared for the study through extensive literature review [12][13][14][15][16]. In order to add further face validity, the questionnaire was reviewed by an external reviewer who is an oncologist with extensive experience of consulting women in Bangladesh about breast cancer prevention, diagnosis and prognosis.…”

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“…Only 17% answered to practicing BSE. The researchers concluded that, conducting educational program is very much important for early detection BSE and breast cancer treatment, for this disease among the University female students[12].Association between knowledge score of female students with their selected demographic variables Findings of this study revealed that knowledge of breast cancer among female college students inadequate. Only 39.08 % female college student participant's had adequate knowledge.…”

Effectiveness of educational intervention on breast cancer knowledge and breast self-examination among female university students in Bangladesh: a pre-post quasi-experimental one group study

“…Recommended screening methods like Mammogram, clinical visit for clinical breast examination, ultrasound and MRI are expensive for a large population group in low-income socioeconomic setup and whole nationwide screening program is not feasible. Moreover, lack of knowledge and awareness about breast cancer has been reported from some studies conducted on females of Bangladesh that may contribute to less adherences of women to receive recommended screening [11][12][13][14]. Therefore, creating breast cancer awareness through educational intervention among females can be a feasible solution to early detection.…”