Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Bangladeshi Women towards Breast Cancer: A Cross Sectional Study.

In Bangladesh incidence rate of breast cancer was about 22.5 per 100000 females. Breast cancer has been reported as the highest prevalence rate (19.3 per 100,000) among Bangladeshi women between 15 and 44 years of age. For this prevailing situation a cross-sectional study was designed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of community-dwelling women in Bangladesh towards breast cancer at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2013 to June 2014. All female participants attending at outpatient department of BSMMU having age more than 20 years and education at least JSC, purposively selected until the sample size achieved 500. Only applying simple cost free method like self breast examination (SBE) and clinical breast examination (CBE) one can asses her breast. Thereby awareness develops regarding her breast so any mass newly appear can be assessed by the lady herself. Early diagnosis of the breast cancer will reduce the burden of treatment cost, mortality & morbidity. Research and development strategy of the project is to enhance the awareness of the community people about breast cancer prevention. Mean age of the study population was 36.16 years. Regarding education nearly 30% (n=150) of them studied up to Junior School, 16% (n=80) respondents completed masters and above remaining in between. Regarding occupation, almost 60% (n=300) were house wife, 32% (n=160) were service holder and only 8% (n=40) of them were students. Knowledge about common female cancer 60% (n=300) were aware about the cervical cancer, 24% (n=120) mentioned breast cancer, 4% (n=20) mentioned ovarian cancer, and 12% (n=60) don't know anything regarding common women cancer. Knowledge about early symptoms of breast cancer, majority of the respondents 66% (n=330) were aware that mass in the breast is the main symptom, 2% (n=10) mentioned pain in breast, 32% (n=160) mentioned that they don't know anything regarding the early symptoms. About the cause of breast cancer 60% (n=300) mentioned that, they don't know anything regarding the cause of breast cancer, 36% (n=180) were aware that non lactation is a cause of breast cancer. About 4% (n=20) of the study population mentioned others, like due to some ones bad did cancer occur as punishment. Knowledge about risk factor of breast cancer, 65% (n=325) have no idea about the risk of breast cancer, 32% (n=160) mentioned few risk factors which have relation with breast cancer and 3% (n=15) did not mention anything. Regarding diagnosis of cancer breast 72% (n=360) mentioned they don't know anything, 16% (n=80) by doing ultra sonogram of breast, 6% (n=30) mentioned about Mammography and 6% (n=30) MRI & others. Regarding screening for prevention of breast cancer 60% (n=300) mentioned that they don't know anything regarding screening. Thirty percent (n=150) were aware that there is screening method but they are not aware specifically regarding this method and they also not aware that breast cancer is a preventable disease. 10% (n=50) were fully aware about screening method like CBE & SBE. About the cause of not seeking medical advice for prevention of Breast cancer, majority of the respondents 40% (n=200) mentioned expenditure problems, 32% (n=160) they don't have any knowledge about this type of medical advice, 8% (n=40) mentioned communication problems and 20% (n=100) others. Regarding Practice of CBE & SBE 68% (n=340) never practice CBE & SBE, 30% (n=150) occasionally practiced CBE & SBE. Only 2% (n=10) mentioned that they were regularly practicing CBE & SBE.