Vol. 5, Issue 1, Part A (2023)

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge regarding risk factors, signs, symptoms of breast cancer and awareness and practices towards screening of breast cancer such as Self Breast Examination, Clinical Breast Examination and mammography. 
Methods: A prospective study was carried out through preformed questionnaire circulated among females at Kanpur. The questionnaire was formed in simple English language with options like yes or no or multiple choices were given to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice towards breast cancer. A total of 741 subjects participated and answered the questions through google form.
Results: Out of 741 subjects majority i,e 496 (66.9%) had moderate knowledge.20.6% had poor knowledge while only 12.4% participants had good knowledge. There was significant relationship between respondents knowledge and educational status (p value <0.001). There was significant difference between residential area and knowledge of subjects those belonging to urban area had good and moderate knowledge as compared to those belonging to rural area (p value <0.01). There was significant difference (p value <0.001) between practice done by professionals and housewife. Majority (39.3%) of the patients who practice good were professionals. (p value <0.001)
Conclusion: Although educated people had an acceptable level of knowledge of breast cancer, the screening rates for Self Breast Examination, Mammography were low. These findings suggest that there is a need to provide extra awareness programs for all women to improve screening of breast cancer.