Cancer is a disease in which the cells divide uncontrollably affecting the body tissues and organs. There are more than 100 different types of cancer worldwide. The different types of cancer are named for its affecting on the particular part, organ or tissues.[1] Breast cancer, the second most common cancer in women globally, arises from uncontrolled cell division in the breast, leading to lumps. It can be invasive or non-invasive. Early diagnosis can make it curable, while late diagnosis can be life-threatening.[2] Advancing age, early menarche, late menopause, late pregnancy, genetic factors and having dense breasts are some of the risk factors along with gender.[3] Breast cancer can be self-screened using Breast Self-Examination (BSE), which is crucial for early diagnosis. BSE involves inspecting and feeling one’s own breasts for any changes.[4]

OBJECTIVES

• To assess the knowledge on Breast cancer
• To assess the knowledge attitude and practice of Breast Self-Examination.

METHODOLOGY

Study site:

The study was an online survey which was conducted among the community.

Study design and sampling:

This cross-sectional observational study used an online survey with structured questionnaires to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding breast cancer and breast self-examination (BSE). The questionnaire, created and disseminated via Google Forms, was shared through social media platforms. Participants were encouraged to complete the survey and share it with their family and friends. To ensure data integrity, each participant was limited to one response. The study enrolled people during the time schedule (1/02/2023 to 30/03/2023) allotted for the project including other circumstances. Inclusion criteria: The female populations aged between 20 to 70 years who were willing to participate and voluntarily enrolled.

Exclusion criteria:

males and Female population aged below 20 years and above 70 years 

METHOD OF COLLECTION OF DATA:

Data Collection Procedure: 

Data was collected through an online survey using a structured questionnaire designed to assess women's knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding breast cancer and breast self-examination (BSE). The questionnaire, prepared in English, was based on articles from online sources such as PubMed and Google Scholar, and adapted from previous studies to suit the objectives of this study.

Data Processing And Analysis:

Sample characteristics were computed in percentage/suitable and it is presented using tables and figures.

RESULT

The present study was aimed to assess knowledge, attitude and practice on Breast Cancer and Breast Self-Examination among female population. A total of 102 participants participated in the online based survey.

Scio-Demographic details:

The socio-demographic details (Table 1) show that 68.6% of participants were aged 20-30 years, with 12.7%, 5.9%, 6.9%, and 5.9% in the age ranges of 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, and 61-70 years, respectively. Most participants were single (61.8%), reflecting the majority age group of 20-30 years, while 33.3% were married, and 4.9% were widowed. Among the 102 participants, 46% were students, 22% were in academics/teaching, 11% were homemakers, 9% were healthcare workers, 9% were in the private sector, and 3% were retired. All participants had heard about breast cancer, with 78.4% reporting no family history and 21.6% reporting a family history of breast cancer (see Fig. 1).

Sources of information about Breast Cancer:

The major source of information about the Breast Cancer to the participants was from Internet (57.8%) and least being others (education) (15%) and social campaign (20.6%). (Fig no. 1)

       
           
       
    Fig no. 1: Sources of information about Breast Cancer

Knowledge plays a crucial role in breast cancer and breast self-examination (BSE). Table 2 indicates that participants were highly aware of breast cancer. To assess their knowledge of risk factors and signs of breast cancer, participants were asked to select multiple options based on their knowledge. The perceived risk factors, in order of prevalence among respondents, were positive family history (70.6%), exposure to radiation (58.8%), hormone replacement therapy (49%), smoking (45.1%), oral contraceptives (44.1%), late menopause (39.2%), obesity (35.3%), non-lactating women (33.3%), early menarche (29.4%), lack of physical exercise (29.4%), old age (25.5%), unmarried or without children (24.5%), consumption of fatty food (24.5%), and 23.5% did not know. The most commonly recognized signs of breast cancer included a lump in the breast (76.5%), pain in the breast or nipples (63.7%), lump or thickening under the armpit (62.7%), discharge from the breast nipples (54.9%), change in size of the breast or nipples (52.9%), inverted nipples (42.2%), puckering or dimpling of the breast nipple (39.2%), and 13.7% of respondents did not know.

Breast self-examination (BSE) in one of the self method to diagnose Breast cancer at early stage. More than 50% of the respondents responded that Breast Self-Examination (55.9%) is the best method for early diagnosis of Breast Cancer and followed by using Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) 2%, mammography 14.7%, ultrasound 2%, by doctor 24.5%, 1% Didn’t know. Majority of the participants 40.2% responded that Breast Self-Examination should be started from the age 20years and 2% were not sure when to start BSE. 88.2% of them think that Breast cancer can be cured if detected early, 3.9% think it can’t be cured and 7.8% don’t know. (Table no.2)

 Attitude towards Breast Cancer:

The attitude of a person towards any disease is important so as to integrate the meaningfulness, comprehensibility and manageability of a situation or disease. The (Table no. 3) shows, the attitude of participants towards Breast Cancer and Breast Self-Examination. 45.1% agreed that Breast Cancer is preventable, 21.6% disagreed and 33.3% neither agree nor disagree. 92.2% agreed that early diagnosis of Breast cancer increases the chance of recovery, 2% disagreed, 5.9% neither agree nor disagree. 37.3 % agreed that improving personal hygiene can reduce risk of developing Breast Cancer, 31.4% disagreed, 31.4% neither agree nor disagree. (Fig no. 3)

Attitude towards Breast self-examination:

91.2% responded that females above 20yrs of age should practice BSE frequently, 80.4% participants response was practicing BSE should be made mandatory and 97% responded that females must be educated about BSE. (Fig no. 4)

       
           
       
    Fig no. 3: Attitude towards Breast Self-Examination (BSE)

Practicing BSE is crucial for early tumor detection, as women are more likely to discover tumors themselves with regular practice. Among 102 participants, 53.9% did not practice BSE, while 46.1% did. Reasons for not practicing included unawareness (15%), lack of breast problems (45%), not knowing how (31%), and belief that it’s unnecessary (9%). Of those who practiced BSE, 35% used a mirror, 26?lt the breast with their hand, 14?lt the armpit, 16% performed it during a shower, and 9% while lying down. Only 35.6% practiced monthly, 2.2% within 2-3 days after menstruation, and 40% did it irregularly.

DISCUSSION