Knowledge of Breast Cancer Risk Factors and Practices of Breast Self-Examination among Women in Northern Ghana

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer remains a major global health concern in both developed and developing countries. The current study aimed to assess the knowledge of risk factors of breast cancer (BC), and the practice of breast self-examination (BSE) among females in the Tamale Metropolis of Northern Ghana. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 1122 participants; consisting of nurses 157 (14.1%), teachers 227 (20.2%), undergraduate university students 339 (30.5%), medical students 95 (8.5%) and market women 304 (27.3%). Using a convenience sampling method to select the participants, we distributed questionnaires to participants which were completed and returned. Results: Most of the participants, 498 (44.4%) were between age 19-25. The majority were enlightened about BC (93.1%), and BSE (87.6%), 723 (64%) had good knowledge about the risk factors of BC. A total of 857 (76.4%) had previously been taught BSE. However, only 417 (37.2%) were found to practice BSE regularly. Conclusion: The knowledge of BC risk factors and BSE was remarkable, but varied in the various occupational categories. However, only a few participants practiced BSE regularly. There is a need for widespread educational campaigns to educate further and encourage women to practice BSE regularly. The inclusion of men in these crusades is long overdue. Equipped with the knowledge and skills of BSE, men could assist and encourage their spouses to frequently examine themselves. Further research studies will be necessary to ascertain the role of men in championing BSE among their significant others.
 Keywords: awareness; breast cancer; breast self-examination; knowledge; practice; Ghana; Tamale

Mapping evidence on knowledge of breast cancer screening and its uptake among women in Ghana: a scoping review

“…Two of the studies were nationwide. Three studies [ 32 , 35 , 36 ] assessed women’s knowledge and practices on BSE, CBE, and mammography while six studies focused on only BSE [ 26 , 28 , 30 , 31 , 34 , 37 ]. Two studies focused on BSE and CBE [ 27 , 33 ] while one study focused on only mammography [ 29 ] (Table 1 ).…”

“…Among the 14 studies included, eight studies reported evidence on Ghanaian women’s knowledge of BCS practices [ 25 , 27 , 28 , 30 – 32 , 34 , 37 ]. Among the various types of BCS, women reported high knowledge of BSE.…”

“…In the Greater Accra region, Kudzawu et al [ 34 ] reported that 93% of women were aware of BSE. Also, in the Northern region of Ghana, it was reported that 87% of females had knowledge of BSE [ 28 ]. Another study in Greater Accra reported that more than three-quarters (76.3%) of the participants knew how to perform BSE [ 25 ].…”

“…The study conducted by Dadzi et al [ 30 ] in the Volta region revealed a low level of women’s knowledge on BSE (43%). Participants’ main source of knowledge of BCS was from the media [ 28 , 34 , 37 ], healthcare providers [ 9 , 25 , 30 , 34 ], and friends or relatives [ 30 ] (see Table 2 ).…”

“…High knowledge about BC enhanced BSE practices. Buunaaim (2020) [ 28 ] Northern region: Hospital and community setting. Cross-sectional study To assess the knowledge of BC and the practice of BSE among females in the Tamale Metropolis of Northern Ghana.…”