Evaluation of breast cancer risk and awareness of women between 20-40 years in Edirne city center

Furkan Tami̇n, Serdar Öztora, Hamdi Nezih Dağdeviren

Keywords: breast cancer risk level, scan methods, information level, family medicine

Aim:

The aim of our study is to determine the level of breast cancer risk among women between the ages of 20 and 40 registered at family health centers in Edirne province, to assess their attitudes and behaviors and to create awareness about breast cancer and methods of scanning.

Method:

One hundred and sixty seven women between the ages of 20 and 40 are registered at family health centers in Edirne. The data are collected by a survey of 38 questions. A breast cancer assessment form consisting of six questions was applied in the survey.

Results:

The average age of women participating in our study were 30.48±5.47. The rate of married participants were 64,7% and university graduates 54,5%. The rate of participants in the low-risk group were 96.4%. The rate of participants who were performing self-examination were 56.3%. The rate of participants who had a clinical breast exam were 34.1%. The rate of participants who knew about mammography were 67.7%. Breast self-examination and clinical breast examination rates were significantly higher for those aged 30-39, married, who has children, those with a history of breast disease. Clinical breast examination rates were significantly higher for those who performed self-examination. The average number of correct responses for those who received an education on breast cancer, those who had knowledge of breast self-examination and clinical breast examination applications was significant.

Conclusions:

It has been shown that women do not have sufficient knowledge of breast cancer signs and screening methods, and are inadequate to apply their screening methods. Especially in family medicine, as the first point of contact with patients, women should be given regular, specific and awareness-raising education, and encouraged to use screening methods to ensure that their knowledge become permanent.

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