Breast self-examination practice and breast cancer risk perception among female university students in Ajman, UAE

ABSTRACT

The present study assessed the prevalence of Breast Self-Examination [BSE] practice among female university students and identified the most important reasons for not performing BSE and also assessed their breast cancer risk perception. A cross-sectional study was conducted among female students in three universities in Ajman namely, Gulf Medical University [Ul], offering health related programs, Ajman University of Science and Technology [U2] offering mostly science and technology programs, and Preston University Ajman [U3] offering science programs. A stratified random sampling procedure was adopted in recruiting the participants. Validated, pilot-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data related to socio-demography, information whether they practiced BSE, the frequency of BSE, timing of BSE in relation to menstruation, and if they were using any measure to remind themselves about the timing, factors that discouraged them doing BSE, whether they considered themselves to be at-risk of having breast cancer or not, how much the risk they attributed to. Data were entered in to Excel sheets and analyzed using PASW 19. The x2 test was used for testing the association. The results shows that the majority of the participants were between 18-22 years of age [63.5%], from Eastern Mediterranean countries [72.2%], and unmarried [82%]. The family history of breast cancer was positive for 9.2% and was more common among second degree relatives [63.9%]. None of the students had a personal history of breast cancer. 89 [22.7%] reported 'ever practiced BSE', only 3.3% were practicing monthly, while 77.3% admitted that they were not practicing BSE. No significant association was noticed between family history of breast cancer and the practice of breast self-examination [P<0.9].No significant associations were noticed between BSE Practice and age, nationality, and university. Married female students had significantly higher frequency of BSE practice. With regard to the risk perception about breast cancer, [25%] thought that they were at risk. Higher frequency of BSE practice was seen among participants who perceived themselves to be at risk of breast cancer, but the difference was not significant. The study showed that the proportion of female university students who ever practiced or practiced BSE monthly was low. The most frequent discouraging factors for BSE were lack of knowledge on how to do BSE and the absence of advice of a doctor to do BSE. About one third of the respondents perceived themselves to be at risk for breast cancer and in about half of those the perceived risk was low