Breast Self-Examination (BSE): Knowledge and Practice among Female Faculty of Physical Education in Assuit, South Egypt

Abstract

Background: The early detection of breast cancer is the most important and beneficial area of protection techniques and has Early detection and screening activities of breast cancer include breast self- examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE), and mammography. Globally, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. BSE makes women more "breast aware", which in turn may lead to an earlier diagnosis of breast cancer.

Objectives: The study aims to assess the knowledge of  female Faculty of Physical Education college students In Assuit, South Egypt started from the first of Jan(2016) to the end of March (2016)about the risk factors and early symptoms for breast cancer , identify the students' knowledge about BSE and assess the practice of students for BSE. Methodology: A descriptive study, conducted at the university in Assuit city (south Egypt) during Jan2015. The study sample included 240 students. Self-administered questionnaire was used to gather information about socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of students about risk factors and symptoms of breast cancer, breast self-examination knowledge, and BSE practice.Results: More than half of the students were a poor knowledge about breast cancer risk factors and presentations, only (20.8%) had a good knowledge. It was reported that (75%) of them she know that the exposure to radiation is a main risk factor. University female students had insufficient knowledge about breast self-examination and the main source of information was the media as reported by (36.7%) of the students, mentioned that breast self-examination should be practiced monthly, (57.9%) of them knew the right way to carry out breast self-examination.. There was a significant relation between breast self-examination practice and knowledge about breast cancer and knowledge about breast self- examination.CONCLUSIONS: - students have poor knowledge of breast cancer and its associated risk factors. Also Students were not also so familiar with practicing BSE.

Keywords: Female students, knowledge, practices, breast cancer, breast self-examination, Upper Egypt