Abstract

Dr. Munazza Azhar*, Dr. Rabia Pervaiz and Dr. Hira Iqbal

ABSTRACT

Introduction: A breast self-exam is the routine examination done by females of their own breasts to find any abnormal growth or changes that are alarming and need medical consultation to treat. It is seen that more than 10% to20% breast cancer is detected by breast self-examination. It is important for females to do BSE regularly to prevent breast cancer. Setting: Study was conducted in a rural area of Lahore, Pakistan. Study design: Cross sectional descriptive study was conducted. Population: Data was collected from 135 women of rural area of Lahore. Sampling: Data was collected from convenient selected sample of 135women of rural area of Lahore. Methodology: The instrument use for the data collection was adopted questioner and convenient sampling technique was used. Results: 19.3% of the study participants knew about the Breast self-examination while 28.9% have knowledge about breast cancer. Only 24.4% knew about the Breast self-examination whereas 35.6% know that only doctors can examine the breast. As regard interval of breast self-examination, 34.1% of the study participants had knowledge, while 46% were not having knowledge. On other question that BSE must be done between days 7 until day 10 after menstrual cycle 20% of the study participants had knowledge, while 80% were not aware of this. BSE should be done in front of a mirror 40% had knowledge and 60% had no knowledge. The above table reveals that only 19.3% study participants had knowledge regarding Breast self-examination, while 80.7%% were not aware of it. Similarly, need to assess any changes in color, size and shape of Breast only 24.4% had knowledge and 75.6% had no knowledge about it. The knowledge of breast self-examination was also very low among the participants and only 19.3%had knowledge about it. Conclusions: knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards breast self-examination are poor among the women of child bearing age in the rural area of Lahore.