Abstract
Background: Recent global cancer statistics indicate rising global incidence of breast cancer and the increase is occurring at a faster rate in developing countries.Knowledge of risk factors of breast cancer like nulli parity,alcohol intake ,family history etc and training women how to carry out breast self-examination (BSE) can help them to be alert to any abnormalities in their breasts to speedily seek medical consultation. Health behavior may be influenced by level of awareness about breast cancer.
Objectives: To study the awareness of screening procedures and knowledge of risk factors among women.
Methods: A structured self-administered questionnaire was constructed based on previous conducted surveys, assessing the risk factors of breast cancer and screening awareness among females of age 15 to 5o.Questionnaire were made available in Google forms and were administered to every female of age 15 to 50 years in August 2020.
Results: About 50% females don’t know about breast self-examination and screening procedures. Some who know they don’t perform it due to misconceptions. Public is unperceptive on potential risk factors of breast cancer.
Conclusion: Public still have spaces for improvement on awareness of breast cancer. Awareness campaigns should focus on the dangers of ignoring breast cancer instead of promoting the knowledge of presentation in breast cancer.
Keywords: Breast self-examination, Nulli parity, Screening procedures, Misconceptions.