Knowledge and Practices of Women regarding Prevention of Risk factors of Breast Cancer in selected urban areas of Guntur (Dt), AP

Background: Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women between the age groups of 40-60 years. One of the eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Knowing the risk factors and early diagnostic interventions are the corner stone of its prevention. Hence the objective of the study is to find out the Knowledge and Practices of Women regarding Prevention of Risk factors of Breast Cancer. Materials and Methods: A quantitative study was conducted in the urban area of Guntur among 120 women in the age group of 40-60 years. The subjects were selected by using systematic random sampling. The level of knowledge was assessed by using structured questionnaire and practices were elicited by non participatory check list. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: The range of score obtained by women was 3–12 for a maximum score of 20 with a mean score 7.12 ± 0.71. Regarding practice items the scores ranged from 3–17 with a mean score of 7.6 ± 0.7. Majority 94.16% of the women were having the poor knowledge regarding the risk factors of breast cancer and 87.5% of the women were having inadequate practices on preventive measures of risk factors of breast cancer. Conclusion: The findings of the study had concluded that there is a strong need to educate the public on the risk factors of breast cancer and the measures to prevent them at the earliest.