Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the knowledge and awareness of students at a medical university regarding possible risk
factors and screening modalities of breast cancer.
Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from January to April 2019 at the People's University of Medical
and Health Sciences for Women, Nawabshah, Pakistan, and comprised young female students from first year to final
year at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences of the
university. Data was collected using a predesigned questionnaire, and was analysed using SPSS 21.
Results: Of the 450 students approached, 375(84%) completed the questionnaire. The mean age of the participants
was 21.06±1.164 years (range: 18-26 years). Overall, 225(60%) students said contraceptive pills could increase the
risk of breast cancer, 267(71.2%) agreed that breast-feeding could reduce cancer risk, while 361 (96.27%) students
had good mammography and clinical breast examination knowledge. Also, 308(82.13%) respondents knew about
breast self-examination, but were not aware of its procedure.
Conclusion: Majority of the subjects had knowledge and awareness about breast cancer, its risk factors, diagnostic
parameters and possible treatment options, but they did not have knowledge regarding the procedures of breast
self-examination.
Rao Irfan , Hisbullah Memon, Ishfaque Nazeer Umrani, Habibullah Soomro. (2021) Breast cancer awareness among pharmacy and physiotherapy students of medical university Nawabshah , Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, Volume 71, Issue 1.
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