Awareness About Risk Factors And Screening Of Breast And Cervical Cancers Among Female College Teachers Of Belagavi City - A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Cancer is one of the leading cause of mortality worldwide, in which breast cancer and cervical cancer account for the top two cancers among women. These cancers typically present very late to the hospital mainly because of lack of knowledge and awareness of about the risk factors, screening methods and their benefits. Prevention by reducing risk factors and early detection of cancer remain the key strategy and most effective ways to reduce the global cancer burden. Objectives: To assess the awareness of risk factors, presenting symptoms and screening practices of breast and cervical cancers among female pre-university college teachers of Belagavi city. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among female college teachers of Belagavi city. A sample of 45 colleges were selected randomly and from each college, maximum of 10 female teachers were selected. Data was collected using personal interview method after obtaining written and informed consent from 400 female college teachers. Questionnaire contained details regarding socio demographic variables, reproductive history, lifestyle factors, knowledge about the risk factors, presenting symptoms and their awareness regarding screening of breast and cervical cancer. Findings: Study participants were between 23 to 55 years of age with a mean age of 33.65 ± 8.98 years and majority (46.75%) of them were below 30 years of age. Most of study participants belonged to Hindu religion (89.75%) and were from urban residence (79.75%). Majority of them were from science stream (48.5%) and had teaching experience of 1 – 10 years (69%). Most of them were married (58%). Less than half of the teachers said that they knew about breast cancer (41.25%) but only few teachers said that they knew about cervical cancer (17%). Most of the participants had average knowledge scores and only few had high knowledge scores regardingbreast and cervical cancer. Breast cancer knowledge scores were significantly associated with age of 50years above, urban residence, higher education, higher work experience, consumption of OCP’s and attainment of menopause and cervical cancer knowledge scores were significantly associated with 41 – 50 years of age group, higher education, higher per capita monthly income, history of abortion and attainment of menopause. This study points that the knowledge of female college teachers about breast and cervical cancer were moderate and only few participants had very good knowledge.Hence, it is of great importance to promote awareness about the disease in an ongoing basis so that women becomes aware of the problem, detect early warning signs and also adopt a healthy lifestyle.