A cross-sectional study on awareness regarding breast cancer and its screening techniques in field practice area of GMERS Medical College, Dharpur, Patan, North Gujarat, India

ABSTRACT

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most dangerous and lately diagnosed cancers which precipitate high number of morbidity and mortality. Breast cancer is now the most common cancer in most cities in India. To prevent its occurrence, women should be aware of early signs of it. Early detection can be done by different screening techniques such as self-breast examination, clinical examination, and mammogram. Objectives: The objectives of this study were as follows (a) To assess the awareness regarding breast cancer and their screening techniques among women and (b) to find out the associated factors of breast cancer and their awareness among women. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out among 100 women selected by purposive sampling residing in the field practice area of Gujarat Medical Education and Research Society Medical College, Dharpur, Patan, during January 2019–March 2019 after approval of the institutional ethics committee. Self-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used after performing a pilot study. Results: Very few female had personal and family history of breast cancer. Awareness regarding breast cancer was found higher in educated as compared to illiterate. Working women had more knowledge regarding the issue than housewife. Awareness regarding how often breast self-examination (BSE) should be performed and what to look for while doing BSE was awareness regarding BSE as a screening tool was found only in half of the study participants. Conclusions: The study participants who had personal and family history of breast cancer were well aware of the clinical signs of breast cancer and its screening techniques. Literate and working women were having more knowledge regarding breast cancer. Overall awareness regarding the disease and its screening techniques was low in the study population.