Breast cancer awareness among women in an urban setup in Western India

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Breast cancer is a leading cause of death among women globally. Better outcomes for patients can be ensured by early detection and treatment. Early detection requires a high degree of awareness about the various aspects of cancer including etiology, risk factors, signs and symptoms, and breast self-examination (BSE) practices. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and awareness related to breast cancer along with willingness for treatment, among women in an urban setup in Western India. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 500 women belonging to the age group of 18–70 years residing in an urban area of Mumbai. Data were obtained through the use of a structured questionnaire over a period of 6 months (April–September 2016). Results: Over half of the respondents (71.42%) knew the symptoms of breast cancer. Awareness regarding the risk factors was varied. Although most (85.71%) of the respondents knew about BSE, contrastingly very few (38.09%) actually performed it. Awareness regarding diagnostic tests was limited to mammography and biopsy, but 90.47% of the women were willing to undergo these tests. 66.67% of women reported that the best treatment for breast cancer was surgery. Conclusion: Awareness of the different presentations of breast cancers (other than lump) is limited and so is the knowledge pertaining to risk factors. A lower level of education is most likely responsible for the low level of awareness and this is the main obstacle for undergoing regular cancer screening and early detection. There is a need of developing an effective health education programs to educate women about breast cancer, propagate valid information via the media, and promote early detection of breast cancer to ensure better outcomes.