KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE REGARDING BREAST CANCER AMONG RURAL WOMEN AGED BETWEEN 20 - 40 YEARS IN HEBBAL

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer, the most common cancer causing the largest burden of cancer deaths in women worldwide, accounts for 19-34% of all cancer cases among women in India. Lack of awareness regarding the disease coupled with non-affordability or non-availability of facilities for early detection and treatment are some of the major determinants of this. OBJECTIVE: To access the knowledge and attitude regarding the Breast cancer among 20-40 year women and to access the knowledge, attitude and practice of Breast Self-Examination among 20-40 year women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross sectional survey was conducted in the month of December, 2013 in the CHTC Hebbal, Gulbarga attached to M.R. Medical College. A total of 220 female aged between 20-40 years with no personal history of breast cancer and ability to understand the semi structured questionnaire were recruited in the study. A verbal consent was obtained from all the women who agreed to participate in the study. RESULTS: that out of the 220 study subjects, majority of the females belong to the age group 20-24 years (37.27%) and illiterate (33.18%). Majority 179(81.36%) females were married and majority 203(92.27%) were Hindus. Only 80 (36.36%) of the total respondents have heard of breast cancer and had obtained their information on breast cancer through their friends (45%) and television (22.25%). Most of the females perceive weight loss(41.25%) as the major symptom of breast cancer followed by lump in the breast (21.25%), bleeding nipples (15%) and about 18(22.5%) were unaware of any of the symptoms. only 11(13.75%) females were aware of Breast Self-Examination as a method for detection of breast cancer, while only 7 (8.75%) practice Breast self-Examination CONCLUSION: The results of this study have demonstrated the extremely low level of breast awareness among community-dwelling women in Hebbal. Emphasis should be given on encouraging women to practice BSE.