Knowledge and awareness about breast cancer among Zabol medical students

Breast cancer is the top cancer in women in developed and developing countries. Social awareness about breast cancer and its symptoms is one of the main substantial factors guide to early detection. The purpose of this research is to evaluate knowledge and awareness about breast cancer among Zabol medical students. A questionnaire with Cancer Research UK breast cancer awareness Measure criteria was given to 148 medical students to determine their knowledge about breast cancer symptoms, age-related risk, confidence to notice a breast change, anticipated delay in presentation and frequency of breast checking. Data analyzed using SPSS22 software statistics tests. Respondents mean age was 22.01±3.43. Out of 148 respondents, 63 (43%) were male and 85 (57%) were female. Out of all, 32 (22%), 72(48%) and 44(30%) respondents were with poor, average and good knowledge and awareness about breast cancer respectively. The study points to insufficient knowledge about breast cancer among Zabol medical students. We recommend more programs targeting medical student awareness about breast cancer. We are estimating poor knowledge about breast cancer in society. Therefore we are strongly suggesting health providers to lead programs in order to increase social awareness about breast cancer to decrease its complications.

Keywords:

Breast cancer , knowledge , medical students