1BMS, International Medical School, Management and Science university, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
2Senior Lecturer, International Medical School, Management and Science university, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
3Associate Professor, International Medical School, Management and Science university, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
*Corresponding author: Ashok Kumar Jeppu Associate Professor, International Medical School Management and Science University, University drive, Sekysen 13, Shah Alam, 40100, Selangor, Malaysia, Phone: 60183246771 E-mail. drashokkumarj@gmail.com
Online published on 30 August, 2018.
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers females world-wide. Early detection remains the cornerstone for reducing mortality. Lack of knowledge about breast cancer among women is responsible for the late detection.
This is a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study conducted on 342 female non-medical university students of different ethnicity. Opportunistic sampling technique used.
342 students of 19 to 25 years age belonging to the three main ethnic groups in Malaysia (Malay, Chinese and Indian) participated in this study. 94.7% of the participants were single, (69.9%) of the respondents denied having family history of breast cancer. A significant relationship between ethnicity and awareness of breast cancer (p <0.013) was observed with the Chinese ethnicity scoring the highest (62.77%). Difference in BSE practice between ethnicity was also observed (p < 0.001). Among those who practice BSE on a non-regular basis, 58.8% were Chinese, 51.7% Malays and 38.7% were Indians.
This study throws light on the urgent need to create awareness about the breast cancer among the university students.
Brest self-examination, Awareness, Non-medical, University students
