Evaluation Knowledge, Attitude, and Behaviour for Breast Cancer among Young Women Living in Two Different Habitats of Turkey

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in Turkey and worldwide,<br />and is ranked as the second-leading cause of death in women after lung cancer. Early diagnosis of breast cancer is<br />possible, and breast cancer is included in cancer-screening programs in Turkey. The aim of this study was to evaluate<br />the knowledge, attitude, and behaviour of young women (older than 20 years of age) on breast self-examination and<br />breast cancer screening methods, and to determine the effect of sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: A total<br />of 489 patients were included in the study. The mean age of participants was 36.53 ± 11.22 years. 346 (70.8%) of the<br />participants were married. The study was a cross-sectional, non-randomized study in public health. The participants in<br />this study were women over 20 years old, who presented to Arnavutkoy State Hospital General surgery policlinic and<br />Sisli Hamidiye Etfal Family Medicine policlinic. Results: The rate and duration of breastfeeding were higher among<br />participants living in rural areas than those living in urban areas (p<0.001) The awareness of breast cancer increased as<br />the level of education increased (p<0.001). Having a family history of a high incidence of breast cancer significantly<br />increased the rate of breast self examination practice by 1.93 fold (p=0.016). Conclusion: Breast Cancer is a disease<br />that can be treated 100 % with early diagnosis. Primary care physicians especially works in lower socioeconomic<br />conditions have to tell the importance of early diagnosis of breast cancer, and properly explain breast self examination<br />and other screening tools.