KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES ABOUT BREAST CANCER EARLY DETECTION AT AL SADDER TEACHING HOSPITAL IN AL-NAJAF PROVINCE

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction The most frequent cancer and the primary reason for cancer-related mortality in women is breast cancer.

Objective: To determine the Knowledge and attitudes of the study sample about breast cancer and early detection and to determine the difference between the Knowledge and attitudes of the study sample about breast cancer and early detection.

Materials and Methods: A total of 516 women were chosen, with 258 cases and 258 controls. The case group included patients with breast cancer, and the control group consisted of women without breast cancer using a structured questionnaire.

Results: The response rate was 100%. The majority of the participants (case and control) knew that regular breast examination helps in the early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Regarding risk factor knowledge, 82.2 % of the cases group and 51.9% of the control group knew that a family history of breast cancer was the most risk factor. 91.5% of the cases group than 20.2% of the control group knew the change in the shape and size of the breast or nipple was one of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, only 16.3% of the cases group than 8.5% of control group practiced breast self-examination before, 25.2% of the cases group than 14.7% of the control group that undergone a clinical breast examination previously. As an overall assessment, 97.7 % of the cases group had good Knowledge, and 64.3 % of the control group had fair Knowledge of breast cancer early detection.

Conclusion: Although the study showed satisfactory Knowledge about breast cancer early detection among women in Al-Najaf Provenance, the practice of BSE was very low, and health education initiatives were enhanced to encourage the use of breast self-examination, clinical breast examination, and mammograms.