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TheScientificWorldJournal 2021Breast cancer is the highest public detected cancer among female population in the majority of countries worldwide. Breast self-examination (BSE) is a useful screening...
Breast cancer is the highest public detected cancer among female population in the majority of countries worldwide. Breast self-examination (BSE) is a useful screening tool to empower women and raise awareness about their breast tissues and help detect any breast abnormalities when they occur. This study aimed to assess the level of female university students' knowledge and practice of BSE. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge about breast cancer and related items, and an observation checklist was used to test practicing BSE using a breast simulator. Eighty-six students participated in the study, 58.1% studying nursing and 41.9% studying clinical nutrition in the third (40.7%) or the fourth level (59.3%). Of them, 24.4% had previous family history of breast cancer. The majority of the students (80.2%) had previous information about breast cancer acquired from different sources, university studies (57%), the Internet (45%), and social media (41%). Findings showed good scores (≥70%) regarding signs and symptoms and risk factors of breast cancer; however, low knowledge scores (<70%) were detected regarding general knowledge about breast cancer disease, methods of early detection and management, and applying steps of practicing BSE. Roughly all the students (96.5%) have heard about BSE, and 69.8% knew the time to do BSE; however, only 31.4% practice it regularly. Three barriers to practice were dominant among students who do not have a breast problem (39.7%), do not know how to do it (37.9%), and being busy 31%. On the other hand, breast cancer early detection purpose and the presence of family history of breast cancer were considered facilitators to regular practice BSE. A statistically significant relationship existed between knowledge about the steps of applying the BSE and regular practicing. A training program should be implemented to increase the level of awareness about BC and practicing BSE.
Topics: Adult; Breast Neoplasms; Breast Self-Examination; Cross-Sectional Studies; Early Detection of Cancer; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Mammary Glands, Human; Middle East; Risk Factors; Students; Surveys and Questionnaires; Universities
PubMed: 34007246
DOI: 10.1155/2021/6640324 -
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... Jun 2019Background: Breast cancer is a leading cause of mortality among women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Many young women in the UAE have poor knowledge about breast...
Background: Breast cancer is a leading cause of mortality among women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Many young women in the UAE have poor knowledge about breast cancer screening, including risk factors and warning signs/symptoms. We investigated awareness about breast cancer and breast self-examination (BSE) as a screening tool among female students at the University of Sharjah, UAE. Methods: This study used a cross sectional survey design. Participants were 241 undergraduate female students (aged ≥18 years) from three University of Sharjah campuses. Data were collected from March to April 2017 using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire covered: sociodemographic characteristics; knowledge about breast cancer, risk factors, and warning signs/symptoms; and knowledge and practice of BSE. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-square tests. Results: About 38.6% of participants were from the Medical campus, 37.3% were from the Women’s campus, and 24% were from the Fine Arts and Design campus. Most (99%) participants had heard of breast cancer. About 50% were knowledgeable about the risk factors, but only 38% were knowledgeable about warning signs/symptoms. The most commonly identified risk factors were family and personal histories of breast cancer, and the most commonly identified warning sign/symptom was breast lump. There was a significant association between knowledge about risk factors and campus type. Participants from the Medical campus were more knowledgeable about risk factors than participants from the other two campuses. Overall, 68.5% of participants had heard of BSE, but few participants actually performed BSE. Reasons for not performing BSE included “forgetting” and “not knowing how.” Conclusions: Although most participants were aware of breast cancer, knowledge about risk factors and warning signs/symptoms was relatively poor. Knowledge about performing BSE was particularly low. This highlights the importance of increasing awareness about breast cancer and BSE among young women in the UAE.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Breast Neoplasms; Breast Self-Examination; Cross-Sectional Studies; Early Detection of Cancer; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Prognosis; Surveys and Questionnaires; United Arab Emirates; Young Adult
PubMed: 31244316
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.6.1901 -
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... Sep 2019Background: Early detection of breast cancer is essential in improving overall women’s health. The researchers sought to develop a comprehensive measure that combined...
Background: Early detection of breast cancer is essential in improving overall women’s health. The researchers sought to develop a comprehensive measure that combined the basic components of the health belief model (HBM) with a focus on breast self-examination (BSE) and screening mammogram amongst women. Methods: Questionnaire items were developed following a review of relevant literature of HBM on BSE and screening mammogram. The sampling frame for the study was Malaysian women aged 35 to 70 years old, living in Kuantan, Pahang and able to read or write in Bahasa Malaysia or English. As such, 103 women were randomly selected to participate in the study. Tests of validity using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and reliability were subsequently performed to determine the psychometric properties of the questionnaire. Results: The EFA revealed nine factors (self-efficacy of mammogram, perceived barriers of BSE and mammogram, perceived susceptibility of breast cancer, perceived severity of breast cancer, cues to action for mammogram screening, perceived benefits of BSE, health motivation, perceived benefits of mammogram and self-efficacy of BSE) containing 54 items that jointly accounted for 74.2% of the observed variance. All nine factors have good internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha ≥ 0.8. Fifty-four items remained in the final questionnaire after deleting 13 problematic items. The scale also showed good convergent and discriminant validity. Conclusion: The findings showed that the designed questionnaire was a valid and reliable instrument for the study involving women in Kuantan, Pahang. The instrument can help to assess women’s beliefs on BSE adoption and mammogram screening in health care practice and research.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Breast Neoplasms; Breast Self-Examination; Culture; Early Detection of Cancer; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Health Behavior; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Malaysia; Mammography; Middle Aged; Motivation; Prognosis; Psychometrics; Surveys and Questionnaires; Women's Health
PubMed: 31554389
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.9.2865 -
BMC Cancer Feb 2022Breast cancer is a global health issue and a leading cause of death among women. Early detection through increased awareness and knowledge on breast cancer and breast... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
Effectiveness of educational intervention on breast cancer knowledge and breast self-examination among female university students in Bangladesh: a pre-post quasi-experimental study.
BACKGROUND
Breast cancer is a global health issue and a leading cause of death among women. Early detection through increased awareness and knowledge on breast cancer and breast cancer screening is thus crucial. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of an educational intervention program on breast cancer knowledge and the practice of breast self-examination among young female students of a university in Bangladesh.
METHODS
A quasi-experimental (pre-post) study design was conducted at Jahangirnagar University in Bangladesh. Educational information on breast cancer and breast self-examination (BSE), demonstration of BSE procedure and leaflets were distributed among 400 female students after obtaining written informed consent. The stepwise procedures of BSE performance were demonstrated with images. Pre-intervention and 15 days post-intervention assessments were conducted to assess the changes in knowledge on breast cancer and practices of BSE. Mc-Nemar's tests and paired sampled t-tests were performed to investigate the differences between pre- and post-test stages.
RESULTS
A total of 400 female university students aged 18-26 years were included in the sample. Significant changes were found in knowledge and awareness about breast cancer and BSE practices after the educational intervention. The significant differences were measured in the mean scores of pre-test vs. post-test: breast cancer symptoms (2.99 ± 1.05 vs. 6.35 ± 1.15; p < 0.001), risk factors (3.35 ± 1.19 vs. 7.56 ± 1.04; p < 0.001), treatment (1.79 ± 0.90 vs. 4.63 ± 0.84; p < 0.001), prevention (3.82 ± 1.32 vs. 7.14 ± 1.03; p < 0.001), screening of breast cancer (1.82 ± 0.55 vs. 3.98 ± 0.71; p < 0.001) and process of BSE (1.57 ± 1.86 vs. 3.94 ± 0.93; p < 0.001). Likewise, a significant percentage of change in BSE practices was obtained between pre-test and post-test (21.3% vs. 33.8%; p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Study findings confirm that the study population had inadequate awareness and knowledge at baseline which was improved significantly after educational intervention. A nationwide roll-out with community-based interventions is recommended for the female population in both rural and urban areas.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Bangladesh; Breast Neoplasms; Breast Self-Examination; Early Detection of Cancer; Female; Health Education; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Non-Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Research Design; Students; Universities; Young Adult
PubMed: 35193526
DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09311-y -
BMC Women's Health Oct 2019Incidence of breast cancer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has increased in recent years. Screening helps in early detection of cancer and early diagnosis and...
BACKGROUND
Incidence of breast cancer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has increased in recent years. Screening helps in early detection of cancer and early diagnosis and timely treatment of breast cancer lead to a better prognosis. Women in the healthcare profession can have a positive impact on the attitudes, beliefs, and practices of general public. Therefore, it is important that the healthcare workers themselves have adequate knowledge and positive attitudes. We conducted a study to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to breast cancer screening among female healthcare professionals.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted on female health professional of KFMC (King Fahad Medical City). Data was collected using a pre-designed, tested, self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included specific sections to test the participants' knowledge, attitude, and practices related to cervical cancer and its screening. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics.
RESULTS
A total of 395 health care workers participated in this study. The mean age of the participants was 34.7 years. Participants included physicians (n = 63, 16.0%), nurses (n = 261, 66.1%), and allied health workers (n = 71, 18.0%). Only 6 (1.5%) participants had a good level of knowledge of breast cancer and 104 (26.8%) participants demonstrated a fair level of knowledge. Overall, 370 (93.7%), 339 (85.8%), and 368 (93.2%) participants had heard of breast self-examination, clinical breast examination, and mammography, respectively. A total of 295 (74.7%) participants reported practicing breast self-examination, 95 (24.1%) had undergone clinical breast examination, and 74 (18.7%) had ever undergone mammography.
CONCLUSION
The knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to breast cancer screening were found to be lower than expected. Active steps are required to develop educational programs for the health care staff, which might empower them to spread the knowledge and positively influence the attitudes of female patients in the hospital.
Topics: Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Breast Neoplasms; Breast Self-Examination; Cross-Sectional Studies; Early Detection of Cancer; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Personnel; Humans; Mammography; Middle Aged; Saudi Arabia; Surveys and Questionnaires; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Women's Health
PubMed: 31640681
DOI: 10.1186/s12905-019-0819-x -
American Journal of Men's Health Sep 2018In 2004, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) published a Grade D recommendation for both testicular self-examination (TSE) and clinical evaluation to screen... (Review)
Review
In 2004, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) published a Grade D recommendation for both testicular self-examination (TSE) and clinical evaluation to screen for testicular cancer in asymptomatic males. This review committee reaffirmed these recommendations in 2009 and again in 2011 (Testicular Cancer: Screening Release Date: April 2011. Final Update Summary: Testicular Cancer: Screening. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. September 2016). The 2011 USPSTF review found no significant evidence that would warrant a change from the last full review in 2004. We believe that the USPSTF erred in its assessments. As acknowledged in the task force report, testicular cancer is not believed to be preventable, and treatment of early detected testicular cancer is generally associated with very favorable outcomes; it is our belief therefore that every encouragement should be given to early detection. We are therefore requesting that the USPSTF review the D rating for testicular examination, both in a clinical setting and as self-examination. We are requesting this, as recent studies and public health warrant a change in grade. The new studies build on earlier studies that support the benefits of regular screening by individuals and their physicians. Further, and equally important, we believe that the current grade and attendant information confuses men and boys about the importance of self-care and wellness and continues to inadvertently reinforce negative cultural attitudes. We believe that adjusting the rating to a Grade B is both warranted and necessary.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Advisory Committees; Early Detection of Cancer; Humans; Male; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Preventive Health Services; Self-Examination; Testicular Neoplasms; United States; Young Adult
PubMed: 29717912
DOI: 10.1177/1557988318768597 -
Indian Journal of Cancer 2022
Topics: Asian People; Breast Neoplasms; Breast Self-Examination; Early Detection of Cancer; Female; Humans; Mammography
PubMed: 35645048
DOI: 10.4103/ijc.ijc_447_22 -
Annals of Agricultural and... Sep 2019Working at night and in shifts, as well as an unhealthy lifestyle, may increase the risk of breast cancer in nurses who therefore should frequently perform breast...
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE
Working at night and in shifts, as well as an unhealthy lifestyle, may increase the risk of breast cancer in nurses who therefore should frequently perform breast self-examination (BSE). The aim of the study was to investigate the performance of BSE among Polish nurses, its accuracy, sources of knowledge and skills, self-assessment of own competences and preparation to educate women about BSE.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in a group of female nurses (N=1,242). An anonymous, self-administrated questionnaire was used for data collection. To properly assess the BSE a four-item scale was made of the type single best answer multiple choice question. Each item referred to one agreed principle of performing BSE.
RESULTS
Regularly BSE was performed by 56.1% nurses, 67.3% pre-menopause nurses 2-3 days after cessation of menstruation and 30.4% post-menopause women on a chosen day of the month. About 98% examined visually and by palpation; 58.9% did so in two positions. In the accuracy scale of BSE, the average number of points was 2.8 out of 4. All (4 points) or almost all (3 points) recommendations of accurate BSE were met by 61.4% of the nurses. Self-assessment of knowledge and BSE practical skills were considered as good or very good by 93.5% and 88.8% nurses, respectively. The self-evaluation of nurses' knowledge and BSE skills was significantly correlated with the result on the accuracy scale or this BSE.
CONCLUSIONS
Many deficiencies concerning frequency, times and BSE techniques were revealed among Polish nurses. There is a discrepancy between the high self-assessment of competences and the accurate practice of BSE. Nurses' preparation in Poland in BSE is insufficient and requires improvement.
Topics: Adult; Breast Neoplasms; Breast Self-Examination; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Middle Aged; Nurses; Poland; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
PubMed: 31559802
DOI: 10.26444/aaem/102762 -
PloS One 2021The survival rate from breast cancer is lowest in African countries and the distribution of breast self-examination practice of and its determinants are not well... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The survival rate from breast cancer is lowest in African countries and the distribution of breast self-examination practice of and its determinants are not well investigated in Ethiopia. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis was designed to determine the pooled prevalence of breast self-examination and its associated factors among women in Ethiopia.
METHODS
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline was followed for this systematic review and meta-analysis. The databases used were; PUBMED, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, CINAHL, African Journals Online, Dimensions and Summon per country online databases. Search terms used were; breast self-examination, breast cancer screening, early detection of breast cancer and Ethiopia. Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-MAStARI) was used for critical appraisal of studies. The meta-analysis was conducted using STATA 15 software. The pooled meta-analysis was computed to present the pooled prevalence and relative risks (RRs) of the determinate factors with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
RESULTS
We identified 2,637 studies, of which, 40 articles (with 17,820 participants) were eligible for inclusion in the final meta-analysis. The pooled estimate of breast self-examination in Ethiopia was 36.72% (95% CI: 29.90, 43.53). The regional distribution breast self-examination ranged from 21.2% (95% CI: 4.49, 37.91) in Tigray to 61.5% (95% CI: 53.98, 69.02) in Gambela region. The lowest prevalence of breast self-examination was observed among the general population (20.43% (95% CI: 14.13, 26.72)). Women who had non-formal educational status (OR = 0.4 (95% CI: 0.21, 0.77)), family history of breast cancer (OR = 2.04 (95% CI: 1.23, 3.39)), good knowledge of breast self-examination (OR = 4.8 (95% CI: 3.03, 7.6)) and favorable attitude toward breast self-examination (OR = 2.75, (95% CI: 1.66, 4.55)) were significantly associated with practice of breast self-examination.
CONCLUSIONS
Only a third of women in Ethiopia practiced breast examination despite WHO guidelines advocating for this practice among all women of reproductive age. Intervention programs should address the factors that are associated with breast self-examination. Population specific programs are needed to promote breast self-examination.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Breast; Ethiopia; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Prevalence; Regression Analysis; Self-Examination; Young Adult
PubMed: 33444380
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245252 -
BMJ Open Jun 2022Self-Examination Low-Cost Full-Field Optical Coherence Tomography (SELFF-OCT) is a novel OCT technology that was specifically designed for home monitoring of neovascular...
Self-Examination Low-Cost Full-Field Optical Coherence Tomography (SELFF-OCT) for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study.
OBJECTIVES
Self-Examination Low-Cost Full-Field Optical Coherence Tomography (SELFF-OCT) is a novel OCT technology that was specifically designed for home monitoring of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). First clinical findings have been reported before. This trial investigates an improved prototype for patients with AMD and focusses on device operability and diagnostic accuracy compared with established spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT).
DESIGN
Prospective single-arm diagnostic accuracy study.
SETTING
Tertiary care centre (University Eye Clinic).
PARTICIPANTS
46 patients with age-related macular degeneration.
INTERVENTIONS
Patients received short training in device handling and then performed multiple self-scans with the SELFF-OCT according to a predefined protocol. Additionally, all eyes were examined with standard SD-OCT, performed by medical personnel. All images were graded by at least 2 masked investigators in a reading centre.
PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE
Rate of successful self-measurements.
SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES
Sensitivity and specificity of SELFF-OCT versus SD-OCT for different biomarkers and necessity for antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment.
RESULTS
In 86% of all examined eyes, OCT self-acquisition resulted in interpretable retinal OCT volume scans. In these patients, the sensitivity for detection of anti-VEGF treatment necessity was 0.94 (95% CI 0.79 to 0.99) and specificity 0.95 (95% CI 0.82 to 0.99).
CONCLUSIONS
SELFF-OCT was used successfully for retinal self-examination in most patients, and it could become a valuable tool for retinal home monitoring in the future. Improvements are in progress to reduce device size and to improve handling, image quality and success rates.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
DRKS00013755, CIV-17-12-022384.
Topics: Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Macular Degeneration; Prospective Studies; Self-Examination; Tomography, Optical Coherence
PubMed: 35760534
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055082