Abstract

HOW FAMILY HISTORY OF THE DISEASE AFFECTS KAP REGARDING BREAST CANCER AND ITS SCREENING METHODS

Ayesha Rizwan, Zikria Saleem and Saleha Sadeeqa*

ABSTRACT

Pakistan has one of the highest incidence rates of breast cancer in Asia. Breast cancer is a major contributor towards cancer related mortality and morbidity in Pakistani women. The study aimed to examine the effects of family history of breast cancer on the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding breast cancer and its screening methods amongst women of Lahore. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 504 randomly selected women using a self-administered, structured questionnaire. Study suggested no significant difference between the knowledge scores of women with a family history of breast cancer (Mother, grandmother, sister, cousin and aunt). Mean knowledge score regarding breast cancer and its risk factors was 63.3% for women with a family history and 59.3% for women with no family history. The mean attitude scores and practice scores were 89.5% and 37% for women with the family history of the disease. In comparison the attitude and practice scores of women with no family history of the disease were lower at 88.3% and 35.7% respectively. The differences in attitude and practice scores, however, were not significant. Findings suggested that regardless of the family history of the disease, women had a very poor knowledge about Breast Cancer, its risk factors and its screening. Attitude was comparatively positive but practices were close to nothing.

Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Practices, Breast cancer, Screening.