Background:Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy among women worldwide.In contrast to Europe,it generally presents very late in Africa.As with the rest of Africa,it is the most common primary maligna...Background:Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy among women worldwide.In contrast to Europe,it generally presents very late in Africa.As with the rest of Africa,it is the most common primary malignancy of females in Sudan and typically presents in stage III or IV disease.This study is intended to analyze the level of breast cancer awareness among women in Sudan.Objective:To assess the level of awareness of breast cancer among Sudanese females and their attitude towards breast changes.Also,to establish possible associations between several variables(education level,age,contact with a breast cancer patient,residence)on awareness.Method:A descriptive cross-sectional community-based study of 385 females in Omdurman city,selected by convenient sampling.An interview-based Arabic version of Breast Cancer Awareness Measure was used.Data were coded and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences v.20.Results:A total of 385 females were included,of which 38.7%were 20–30 years,47.8%were single,53.8%had a university education,41%of them were currently unemployed,and 54.3%resided in Ummbadda’s locality.When asked about breast cancer’s signs and risk factors,55.06%and 55.8%failed to name any.The cumulative percentage of correct answers of close-ended questions about signs,risk factors and Federal Ministry of Health screening program were 42.8%,30.7%and 44.7%in that order.Only 38.2%knew the right method breast self-examination,and 48.2%of them rarely practiced it.38.2%noticed a change in the breast tissue but didn't visit a doctor.The majority of them,though,said they would see a doctor if they noticed a change in the future.Conclusion:There is a severe lack of awareness of breast cancer among females in Sudanese society.Also,there was a clear ignorant attitude practiced by a significant proportion of the candidates.Recommendations:To address this study’s limitations,further research is to be done.Federal Ministry of Health has to improve its media message and arrange targeted awareness campaigns.展开更多
文摘Background:Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy among women worldwide.In contrast to Europe,it generally presents very late in Africa.As with the rest of Africa,it is the most common primary malignancy of females in Sudan and typically presents in stage III or IV disease.This study is intended to analyze the level of breast cancer awareness among women in Sudan.Objective:To assess the level of awareness of breast cancer among Sudanese females and their attitude towards breast changes.Also,to establish possible associations between several variables(education level,age,contact with a breast cancer patient,residence)on awareness.Method:A descriptive cross-sectional community-based study of 385 females in Omdurman city,selected by convenient sampling.An interview-based Arabic version of Breast Cancer Awareness Measure was used.Data were coded and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences v.20.Results:A total of 385 females were included,of which 38.7%were 20–30 years,47.8%were single,53.8%had a university education,41%of them were currently unemployed,and 54.3%resided in Ummbadda’s locality.When asked about breast cancer’s signs and risk factors,55.06%and 55.8%failed to name any.The cumulative percentage of correct answers of close-ended questions about signs,risk factors and Federal Ministry of Health screening program were 42.8%,30.7%and 44.7%in that order.Only 38.2%knew the right method breast self-examination,and 48.2%of them rarely practiced it.38.2%noticed a change in the breast tissue but didn't visit a doctor.The majority of them,though,said they would see a doctor if they noticed a change in the future.Conclusion:There is a severe lack of awareness of breast cancer among females in Sudanese society.Also,there was a clear ignorant attitude practiced by a significant proportion of the candidates.Recommendations:To address this study’s limitations,further research is to be done.Federal Ministry of Health has to improve its media message and arrange targeted awareness campaigns.
