Breast cancer awareness among female university students in Ajman, UAE

ABSTRACT

Knowledge of female university students regarding breast cancer and its preventive measures and the main misconceptions regarding breast cancer were assessed. This cross-sectional study was conducted among female university students in three large Universities in Ajman, namely Gulf Medical University [referred to as U1], offering health related programs; Ajman University of Science and Technology [referred to as U2] offering mostly science and technology programs; and Preston University Ajman [referred to as U3] offering science programs. A validated, pilot-tested self administered questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. A score less than 60% was considered as inadequate knowledge. Data were entered in to Excel sheets and analyzed using PASW 19. The tests used were Independent Samples Kruskal-Wallis test and chi-square 2 test. Family history of breast cancer was reported by 9.2% [36] of the participants, which had affected mostly second degree relatives [63.9%]. None of the students had a personal history of breast cancer. The most widely known risk factors for breast cancer were previous cancerous growth in the breast [72.4%], family history of breast cancer [70.2%], radiation to chest [67.9%] and smoking cigarettes [65.3%]. The most frequent correct response about the warning signs of breast cancer [61%], was "Painless breast lump", next was "change in the size or shape of the breast" [60.2%. Among the participants, 53.8% had heard about Breast Self-Examination and 44.1% Clinical Breast Examination. Significantly higher knowledge scores regarding risk factors for breast cancer are noticed among participants from countries in the Americas, from universities offering only medical/ health related programs, and those having family history subgroups respectively. the most frequent misconceptions are "Treatment for breast cancer affects woman's feminity", "Herbal remedies and dietary supplements can treat breast cancer' and "There is little that I can do to prevent cancer" reported by 62.5%, 56.4% and 49.7% respectively. Inadequate knowledge [scores <60%] regarding breast cancer among a high proportion of female university students and on knowledge about the risk factors, warning signs and methods for early detection of breast cancer was observed. Most frequent misconception reported was "Treatment for breast cancer affects woman's feminity". Educational campaigns are necessary to fill the gap in knowledge