A Study on Breast Cancer Awareness and Knowledge among Rural Female Population of Bangladesh

Abstract

Breast cancer in women is a foremost health problem both in developed and developing countries. Breast cancer is rising at a faster rate in Bangladesh. The study was conducted to find out their knowledge level about breast cancer, prevalence of risk factors and practice of Breast Self Exam among the study population. The study location was three districts (Noakhali, Comilla and Gazipur) of Bangladesh. Data was collected from (n=350) female persons by a self-administered questionnaire. Majority of them were graduates (34.57 %). Breast cancer was known to 73.14% women (n=350) and 52.01% of them mentioned electronic media as the source of information. Majority (62%) of them had correct knowledge about treatment but only few (22%) knew the diagnosis options. Knowledge about sign and symptoms was very poor among the women. Small portion of them mentioned about risk factors. The study revealed that majority of them are in lower risk condition in terms of normal BMI status (60.29%), proper breast feeding practice (99.43%), lower level of family history and others. Respondents having breast cancer history in family had correct knowledge about it. Results showed that 57.14% heard about breast self exam but only 2.70% women was correctly performing breast self-exam and only 6.49% women had correct knowledge about mammography. Most of the respondents had incomplete or wrong information about breast cancer. The present situation can become more devastating if early attention is not given. So, steps should be taken by policy makers and health professionals to educate the general female population about breast cancer