AWARENESS REGARDING FEMALE BREAST CANCER IN KANGRA REGION OF HIMACHAL PRADESH.
Journal Title: Journal of Drug Discovery and Therapeutics - Year 2013, Vol 1, Issue 1
Abstract
Breast cancer, a critical health problem, is considered to be a progressive disease with a poor prognosis if detected late. Public education about the disease plays a vital role in early detection and subsequent improvements in prognosis. The present study assesses the knowledge and awareness about various aspects of breast cancer among female in Kangra Region of Himachal Pradesh.METHODS: The knowledge of various aspects of breast cancer including incidence, early Warning signs, risk factors, screening, early detection measures and sources of information was Evaluated among female in Grace School Of Nursing Kangra (students and staff members), and randomly selected different areas of Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, from August 1 to 31, 2012. A self-structured validated questionnaire that contained 10 itemized questions about breast cancer was randomly distributed to the participants. Respondent’s levels of knowledge were determined.RESULTS: Of 121 females, 106 (88%) were available for final analysis with a mean age of 21 years (age range: 18 to 55 years). Fifty nine (55%) respondents were single and ninety four (88%) had no family history of breast cancer. Their knowledge about the incidence of the disease was poor; only 11% replied correctly. A total of forty nine (46.2%) respondents mentioned swelling in the skin/axilla while twenty seven (25.5%) suggested skin changes as early warning signs of breast cancer. None of the participants expressed knowledge about all established risk factors of the disease. Sixty two (58.4%) did not know the proper way to perform a breast self-examination and forty two (39.6%) had never performed this test. Additionally, sixty seven (63.2%) knew that mammography was a screening tool for breast cancer. Sources of information about the disease were: television and radio (52, 49%), printed material in journals and newspapers (16, 15%) and family physicians (9, 8.5%).CONCLUSION: This study revealed that respondents showed deficient knowledge about key Issues concerning breast cancer and its early detection measures. Majority of the respondents had heard of breast cancer but the knowledge and understanding of the disease was low .Measures need to be taken to spread awareness about this disease in females so that they can play a vital role in early detection of this disease. It also revealed that health workers were not the main source of information in the region, thereby posing a challenge for community health services to provide basic required information about breast cancer.
Authors and Affiliations
Divya Bharti*| Department of life sciences, Manav Bharti University, Solan (H.P.) 173229, Indra Pathania| Department of Zoology, Manav Bharti University, Solan (H.P.) 173229.
Keywords
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