Awareness and practice of breast cancer screening methods among women in an urban area of North-Western Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is a public health burden among women globally. Screening for breast cancer is pivotal to the reduction in the morbidity and mortality associated with breast cancer among women. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness and practices of breast cancer screening methods among women who attended an educational conference in Kaduna metropolis, Northwest Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted. A modified validated self administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the awareness and practice of breast cancer screening methods among the women. Data was analyzed using descriptive analysis. Results: A total of 274 women with a mean age of 43.26 ± 9.58 years participated in this study. Most (90.5%) of the participants were aware of breast cancer. The rate of awareness of breast self-examination (BSE) was 70.1%, however, only 40.5% of the women practiced BSE with 10.6% performing it monthly. Over half, 51.8%, of the study participants were aware of clinical breast examination (CBE) while only 12.4% of the women had gone for a CBE. Mammography as a screening method for breast cancer had the least awareness rate of 27.7% while only 9.5% had done it. The common reason stated for not practicing these breast cancer screening methods was poor knowledge. Conclusion: This study has highlighted the low awareness and practice of breast cancer screening methods among women. There is a need to improve strategies of health literacy on these screening methods among women to reduce the mortality and morbidity posed by breast cancer.