Awareness of Breast Cancer Risk Factors and Practice of Breast Self-Examination among Nurses of Tertiary Care Hospital

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Original Article

Author Details : Kajal Srivastava, Sumit Jethani, Bhavika Kalthe, Parul Sharma Khilnani, J.S. Bhawalkar, Shili Vyas

Volume : 3, Issue : 2, Year : 2016

Article Page : 75-78

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Abstract

Background: Worldwide, one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in females is invasive cancer of the breast. Despite the advent of modern screening methods, more than 90% of cases of cancers of the breast are detected by women themselves, stressing the importance of breast self – examination. Nurses (para-medical staff) being a very important component of Health Staff who come in contact with patients and local population more frequently. Therefore teaching them Breast Self-Examination (BSE) would be a fast media to further educate the general population about the risk factors of breast cancer and five easy steps of Breast Self-Examination. The purpose of this study was to investigate attitude and practice of breast self-examination and to determine knowledge of risk factors for breast cancer among nurses in tertiary care hospital.
Objectives: To study the knowledge of breast cancer and attitude and practice of Breast self-examination among nurses.
Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed. It was conducted in OPD and wards of Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Pimpri Pune. The study sample included 200 staff nurses working in hospital. A simple questionnaire consisting of 20 questions on knowledge of risk factors of breast cancer, attitude for breast self-examination and practice for the same was administered through face to face interview.
Results: regarding the risk factors of disease, majority subjects (61.5%) mentioned aging, nulliparity (54%), oral pills (59%), radiation at young age(85%) increases the risk of getting breast cancer. Regarding attitude for breast self-examination 82.5% mentioned that it causes embarrassment, 33.5% said it was troublesome and 54.3% time consuming. Regarding practice only 15.6% were performing BSE every month.
Conclusion: The findings of this study may provide a basic ground for ideas for future nursing research and projects for nurses in India. This is an important initial step toward increasing awareness about breast cancer and it encourages early adoption of breast screening initiative.

Key words: Breast cancer, Risk factors, Nurses, Breast self-examination, Tertiary care hospital

How to cite : Srivastava K, Jethani S, Kalthe B, Khilnani P S, Bhawalkar J, Vyas S, Awareness of Breast Cancer Risk Factors and Practice of Breast Self-Examination among Nurses of Tertiary Care Hospital. Indian J Forensic Community Med 2016;3(2):75-78

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