1Assistant Instructor, M. Sc. Maternal and Neonatal Health, College of Nursing, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq
2Assistant Instructor, M. Sc. Nursing Administration, Nursing Department, College of Nursing, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq
3Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq
Breast cancer is one of the important diseases that intimidate woman's sexual life and her well-being. Early diagnosis and successful therapeutic intervention would prevent morbidity and death of such patients. The latter can be achieved through raising women's awareness of risk factors, preventive measures and screening technigues, such as breast Self-Examination, related to breast cancer. The aim of current study was to appraise knowledge and performance related to breast cancer among women in AL-Diwaniyah City, Iraq.
Cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire-based study involved 50 women attending breast Oncology Clinic at AL-Diwanyia Teaching Hospital between November 2016 and March 2017. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics and tested for significance at P≤ 0.05.
Current study revealed that the 50 women participated were aged 20 to 60 years, (64%) of them were between 40 and 59 years. Also, 72% were married, 72% were highly educated and 96% were urban women. However, they had below average level of knowledge concering breast cancer. Also, they had poor practice regarding breast self-examination.
The reported results in current study could be attributed to cultural issues, limited availability and/or access to information resources and screening techniques for this disease. A well-planned nationwide health-promoting programme is required to raise awareness of this disease. Also, research in this area of medicine needs to be highly encouraged.
Breast cancer, knowledge, practice, breast self-examination
