Scanty Knowledge and Inferior practice of Breast Self Examination among Educated Women

According to data available by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR, 2016) specific cancer burden in females includes cancer in cervix, breast, mouth/oropharynx and esophagus. In urban areas the breast cancer is more common compared to rural areas. India has 17% of world's population suffering from breast cancer (Indian Express). 60–80% of cancer cases were diagnosed at late stage in India and 60% of patients did not have access to quality treatment. There are only 300 cancer centers, 400 radiotherapy machines and the doctor, patient ratio is 1: 2000 in India (Dr Kirti Bhushan, 2016). The current study was carried out to identify the level of knowledge about breast cancer, warning signs, risk factors and early diagnoses; and to analyze the regular practice of Breast Self Examination among educated women. The study population consisted of the female college teachers attending the refresher course in Human Resource Development Center, Bharathiar University. 50 female college teachers were purposely selected for the study. The data was entered into Statistical Package for Social Sciences Software (SPSS, Version 20). The data was analyzed by using descriptive statistical method. The findings of the study showed that all the educated women had scanty knowledge about breast cancer, warning signs, risk factors and early diagnoses. Very few of them practiced the Breast self examination regularly.