Knowledge and Practice of Breast Cancer and Its Screening Methods among Girls Attending an Engineering College in Ahmednagar

The rising incidence rate of breast cancer at a younger age is an alarming sign that future mothers will need to be empowered to recognise breast cancer warning symptoms at an early stage.

Aim and Objectives: To assess the knowledge and practice breast cancer and its screening methods, to determine the relationship between knowledge and practice, and its association with demographic variables among engineering girls.

Method: Quantitative research approach with cross sectional study conducted at engineering College of Ahmednagar, 100 engineering girls of various branches participated in the study. Responses were recorded on a pretested questionnaire and self-reported practices through online mode and participants were agreed to participate in the study. Knowledge aspects consisted general information of breast cancer, risk factors and signs and symptoms, whereas self-reported practice for breast self-examination, clinical breast examination and mammography. Data was analysed with mean, SD, Chi Square test and Karl Pearson Co-efficient correlation.

Result: Mean age of participants was 21 years. Maximum girls from 34% Information and Technology and 25% Electronics and Telecommunication. Maximum engineering girls had good 62% to average 22% and 16 % poor knowledge. Majority 63% had poor and 36 % average breast cancer screening practices measures. Poor practices for breast self-examination followed by clinical breast examination and mammography. Knowledge was directly associated with education of mothers and Source of information is associated with practises with a significance level of p < 0.05. Knowledge and practises had a positive correlation of “r” =.270.

Conclusion: engineering girls had average knowledge and poor practices of breast cancer screening measures. Knowledge was directly associated with education of mothers and source of information were significantly associated with practices. Future mothers should be empowered through hands on training for breast self-examination and enhanced BSE and CBE will help for early detection for breast cancer among younger girls in future.