Breast cancer and breast self-examination awareness among undergraduate students of the University of Bamenda, Cameroon

Authors

  • Choumessi T. Aphrodite Department of Biochemistry, University of Bamenda, Cameroon
  • Tchamba T.G. Stephanie Department of Biochemistry, University of Bamenda, Cameroon
  • Ngwamenter Geayeal Department of Biochemistry, University of Bamenda, Cameroon
  • Atabonkeng E. Philemon Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Cameroon

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20210206

Keywords:

Awareness, Breast cancer, Breast self-examination, University Bamenda students

Abstract

Background: Breast self-examination (BSE) is an individual check-up to identify any health problem in the breast, especially breast cancer. However, though the university is the place of high education, the level of the student knowledge about breast cancer and BSE remains not quite known. This study aimed to identify awareness on breast cancer and BSE among the student population of The University of Bamenda, Cameroon.

Methods: A well designed descriptive study was carried out using a structured questionnaire to look at the awareness about breast cancer, its possible risk factors, signs and symptoms as well as the awareness on BSE among the students.

Results: Out of the studied population of 255 participants who completed the questionnaire, a good portion (91.76%) of the respondents have heard about breast cancer. Only 38.43% respondents knew some signs and symptoms of breast cancer while 44.31% had an idea of the treatment. The population pointed alcohol consumption and smoking, use of contraceptives and exposure to pesticides as possible risk factors of breast cancer. BSE was practiced by only 23.92% and only 20.39% of the participants suggested a monthly screening frequency. Across age ranges, 20 to 24 years old and 25-29 years old participants had almost 5 times more chances to have heard about BSE than younger people.

Conclusions: Summarily, the present study demonstrated that the general had poor  knowledge of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and the BSE practice, though  the  population  aged  20-29  years  old  has relatively heard about breast cancer and BSE.

References

WHO. WHO-Cancer report 2020 global profile, 2020. Available at https:// www. paho. org/ hq/ index.php ? option = com _ docman & view = download&category_slug=4-cancer-country-profiles-2020&alias=51561-global-cancer-profile-2020 & Itemid = 270 & lang=fr. Accessed on 24 November 2020.

WHO. Awareness is the first step in battle against breast cancer. Bull World Health Organ 2012;90:164-5.

Avcı İA, Altay B, Kocatürk B. Health beliefs of student mid-wives toward breast self-examination. J Breast Health. 2008;4:5-28.

Hallal JC. The relationship of health beliefs, health locus of control, and self concept to the practice of breast self-examination in adult women. Nurs Res. 1982;31(3):137-42.

Noreen M, Murad S, Furqan M, Sultan A, Bloodsworth P. Knowledge and awareness about breast cancer and its early symptoms among medical and non-medical students of Southern Punjab, Pakistan. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2015;16:979-84.

Vieira RA, Biller G, Uemura G, Ruiz CA, Curado MP. Breast cancer screening in developing countries. Clinics. 2017;72(4):244-53.

Mahboobi HR, Khorgoei T, Eftekhar F. New recommendations about breast self-examination. Iran J Cancer Prev. 2010;3(4):155-6.

Kayode OF, Akande GOMT. Knowledge, attitude and practice of breast self- examination among female secondary school teachers in Ilorin, Nigeria. European J Scientific Res. 2005;10(3):42-7.

WHO. World Health Organization, International Agency for Cancer Research. Breast Cancer/Breast Self‑Examination (BSE), 2020. Available at https://screening.iarc.fr/breastselfexamination.php . Accessed on 24 November 2020.

Koc G, Savas H, Ergol S, Cetinkaya M, Aydin N. Female university students’ knowledge and practice of breast self-examination in Turkey. Niger J Clin Pract. 2019;22:410-5.

Orock GE, Ndom P, Doh AS. Current cancer incidence and trends in Yaounde, Cameroon. Oncol. Gastroenterol Hepatol Reports. 2012;1:1.

Engbang NPJ, Essome H, Koh MV, Simo G, Essam SDJ, Mouelle SA, et al. Breast cancer in Cameroon, histo-epidemiological profile: about 3044 cases. Pan African Med J. 2015;21:242.

Globocan. 120-cameroon-fact-sheets. The Global Cancer observatory, Cameroon, 2018. https://gco.iarc.fr/today/data/factsheets/populations/120-cameroon-fact-sheets.pdf. Accessed on 24 November 2020.

Gwarzo DMU, Sabitu K, Idris HS. Knowledge and practice of breast-self-examination among female undergraduate students of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Northwestern Nigeria. Annals African Med. 2009;8(1):55-8.

Nde PF, Assob NCJ, Kwenti ET, Njunda LA, Tainenbe GRT. Knowledge, attitude and practice of breast self-examination among female undergraduate students in the University of Buea. BMC Res Notes. 2015;8:43.

Ayed AJ, Eqtait F, Harazneh L, Fashafsheh I, Nazzal S, Talahmeh B, et al. Breast self-examination in terms of knowledge, attitude, and practice among nursing students of Arab American University. J Edu Practice. 2015;6(4):37-47.

Abay M, Tuke G, Zewdie E, Abraha TH, Grum T, Brhane E. Breast self-examination practice and associated factors among women aged 20-70 years attending public health institutions of Adwa town, North Ethiopia. BMC Res Notes. 2018;11:622.

Adetule CY. Breast self-examination (BSE): a strategy for early detection of breast caancer in Nigeria. Annals Oncol. 2016;27(9):19-29.

Casmir ECI, Anyalewechi NE, Onyeka ISN, Agwu ACO, Regina NC. Knowledge and practice of breast self-examination among female undergraduates in South-Eastern Nigeria. Health. 2015;7:1134-41.

Dadzi R, Adam A. Assessment of knowledge and practice of breast self-examination among reproductive age women in Akatsi South district of Volta region of Ghana. PLoS ONE. 2019;14(12):e0226925.

Sani MA, Naab F. Relationship between age and Breast Self-Examination among women in Nigeria. IOSR J Nur Health Sci. 2014;3(6):34-9.

Tuyen QD, Dung VT, Dong VH, Kien TT, Huong TT. Breast self-examination: knowledge and practice among female textile workers in Vietnam. Cancer Controls. 2019;26:1-7.

Shrestha S, Chhetri S, Napit J. Awareness on breast self-examination among reproductive age women. JCMS Nepal. 2017;13(4):425-9.

Downloads

Published

2021-01-27

How to Cite

Aphrodite, C. T., Stephanie, T. T., Geayeal, N., & Philemon, A. E. (2021). Breast cancer and breast self-examination awareness among undergraduate students of the University of Bamenda, Cameroon. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 8(2), 581–588. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20210206

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles