Knowledge, attitude and preventive practices of South Indian women towards breast cancer

Background: Indian women typically present late at advanced stages of breast cancer when little or no benefit can be derived from any form of therapy. Recent global cancer statistics indicate that incidence of breast cancer is rising and the increase is occurring at a faster rate in populations of the developing countries that hitherto enjoyed low incidence of the disease. This prevailing situation supported by recent data suggesting that health behavior may be influenced by level of awareness about breast cancer, prompted us to design a cross-sectional study to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of community-dwelling women in South India towards breast cancer. Methodology: Three hundred community-dwelling women from rural and peri-urban neighborhoods in Medchal mandal of Andhra Pradesh province, India were recruited for the study in May and June 2011. Data was collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires designed to elicit socio-demographic information and knowledge, attitude and practices of these women towards breast cancer. Data analysis was carried out using Epi_Info. Results: Study participants had poor knowledge of breast cancer. 21.4% participants knew that breast cancer presents commonly as a painless breast lump. Practice of breast self examination was low; only 4.58% participants were aware of the procedure, and none had clinical breast examination in the past year. Women with higher level of education (X2=33.446, p