Breast cancer knowledge, attitudes and practice among nurses in Lagos, Nigeria

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among nurses working in a general hospital in Lagos to determine their knowledge, attitude and practice regarding breast cancer. A self-administered questionnaire was used to investigate knowledge of symptoms, methods of diagnosis and use of cancer screening methods. Two hundred and four nurses out of 280 participated in the study (73% response rate). Knowledge about symptoms, methods of diagnosis and self-breast examination was generally very good. However, only 30% had had a clinical breast examination and 8% a mammogram within the past three years. Use of cancer screening methods was significantly associated with knowledge of the subject (p = 0.03). Twenty-eight percent did not know how to estimate the risk of cancer and 61% believed they were not at risk. Nurses possess adequate knowledge about breast cancer but they need more information on cancer risk estimation.     

Awareness of breast and cervical cancer risk factors and screening behaviours among nurses in rural region of Turkey

Breast and cervical cancer are the most common causes of cancer mortality among women worldwide, but actually they are largely preventable diseases. There is limited data on breast and cervical cancer knowledge, screening practices and attitudes of nurses in Turkey. A self-administered questionnaire was used to investigate the knowledge and attitude of nurses on risk factors of the breast and cervical cancer as well as screening programmes such as breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination, mammography (MMG) and papanicolaou (pap) smear test. In total, 125 out of 160 nurses participated in the study (overall response rate was 80.6%). The risk factors and symptoms of breast cancer was generally well known, except for early menarche (23.2%) and late menopause (28.8%). For cervical cancer, the correct risk factors mostly indicated by the nurses were early age at first sexual intercourse (56%), smoking (76%), multiple sexual partners (71.2%). As for screening methods, it was believed that BSE was a beneficial method to identify the early breast changes (84.8%) and MMG was able to detect the cancer without a palpable mass (57.6%). Little was known about the fact that women should begin cervical cancer screening approximately 3 years after the onset of sexual intercourse (23.2%) and if repeated pap smear test were normal, it could be done every 2–3 years. Most of the nurses considered that MMG decreases the mortality in breast cancer (65.6%) and also believed that pap smear test decreases the mortality in cervical cancer (75.2%). Despite high level of knowledge of breast cancer risk factors, symptoms and screening methods, inadequate knowledge of cervical cancer screening method were found among nurses.     

Knowledge of Risk Factors & Early Detection Methods and Practices towards Breast Cancer among Nurses in Indira Gandhi Medical College,Shimla, Himachal Pradesh,India

Background: Breast cancer is an increasing health problem in India. Screening for early detection should leadto a reduction in mortality from the disease. It is known that motivation by nurses influences uptake of screeningmethods by women. This study aimed to investigate knowledge of breast cancer risk factors & early detectionmethods and the practice of screening among nurses in Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire to assessthe knowledge of breast cancer risk factors, early detection methods and practice of screening methods among457 nurses working in a Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla-H.P. Chi square test, Data was analysed usingSPSS version 16. Test of significance used was chi square test. Results: The response rate of the study was 94.9%.The average knowledge of risk factors about breast cancer of the entire population is 49%. 10.5% of nurses hadpoor knowledge, 25.2% of the nurses had good knowledge, 45% had very good knowledge and 16.3% of thenurses had excellent knowledge about risk factors of breast cancer and early detection methods. The knowledgelevel was significantly higher among BSC nurses than nurses with Diploma. 54% of participants in this studyreportedly practice BSE at least once every year. Less than one-third reported that they had CBE within thepast one year. 7% ever had mammogram before this study. Conclusions: Results from this study suggest thefrequent continuing medical education programmes on breast cancer at institutional level is desirable.     

Has the investment in public cancer education delivered observable changes in knowledge over the past 10 years?

BACKGROUND: During the 1990s, Western countries, such as Australia, directed substantial funds toward public cancer education. An important indicator of whether this investment has been worthwhile is a shift over time in the proportion of the population who have accurate knowledge regarding cancer. METHODS: In the year 2000, a cross-sectional telephone survey was administered to 685 residents selected from the New South Wales (Australia) Electronic White Pages telephone directory. This study replicated in part a survey conducted in 1989. RESULTS: In the 2000 survey, smoking (96.0%) and sun exposure (80.4%) were well-known as risk factors for lung cancer and melanoma, respectively. However, community knowledge of risk factors for colorectal, breast, cervical, and prostate cancer was poor. Most respondents were able to nominate mammograms (82.2%) and Pap tests (86.8%) as screening tests for breast and cervical cancer, respectively. Approximately two-thirds of the sample were able to nominate foods that reduce the risk of developing cancer. Compared with the 1989 data, there appeared to have been improvements in community knowledge of mammograms as a screening test for breast cancer. For the other cancers, knowledge gains appeared smaller or marginal. With regard to the lifetime risk of developing these cancers, community understanding remains poor. Predictors of greater knowledge include a higher level of education. CONCLUSIONS: Where ongoing investments have been made, like in the case of breast cancer education, there have been improvements in community knowledge. However, major challenges remain. Potential targets for future public education campaigns are discussed.     

Do Saudi Nurses in Primary Health Care Centres have Breast Cancer Knowledge to Promote Breast Cancer Awareness?

Background: Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death among cancer patients in Saudi Arabia. It isknown that nurses play a key role in promoting breast cancer awareness among women in any society. Nursesin primary health care centres (PHCC) have more direct contact with general population. This study aimed toinvestigate nurse knowledge of breast cancer and practice of early screening in PHCC in Jeddah city. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire to assess the general knowledge ofbreast cancer, risk factors, and practice of 210 PHCC nurses. Data were analysed using SPSS v.16. Results: Themean age of the PHCC Nurses was 36.9 (SD ±8.6). Only 11% percent scored <50% of the total score for generalepidemiological knowledge on breast cancer, about 35% scored <50% of the total score for breast cancer riskfactors. Sixty seven percent scored >75% of the total score on breast cancer signs. Majority of nurses 62.8%practiced BSE, but only 4% practiced regularly every month. Some 28% practiced once per year. About 81%of the nurses had not had a clinical breast examination and only 14% had had a mammography. The results ofthe study failed to show any correlation between the knowledge scores with age, education, year of experience,family history of BC and marital status of the nurses. Conclusion:The results from the study reflect that thereis a need to provide continuing nursing education programmes for PHCC nurses to improve their breast cancerknowledge and practice.     

Nurses,Healthy Women and Preventive Gynecological Examinations - Vlora City Scenario,Albania

Background: Nurses play an important role in preventive medicine because they represent the largest sector of health professionals. This role is very crucial in developing countries, which are going through rapid societal and economic changes, associated with a rising burden of cancers due to different risk factors. The current study aimed to compare health awareness between nurses and healthy women regarding preventive gynecological examinations and to answer the question - can nurses make a difference in women’s health? Materials and Methods: This cross sectional research included a total of 150 women, 70 nurses and 80 healthy women, randomly selected. Data were collected in 2014 in Vlora city through a self-administered questionnaire that assessed different variables about preventive gynecological examinations. Results: Cervical screening rates were 20.3% and 41.8%, respectively, for nurses and healthy women, despite the former having a statistical significant greater knowledge of risk factors and symptoms. Conclusions: Even if the health awareness of nurse participants can be considered good, they need themselves to increase participation rates in cervical screening if they are to provide role models for health education/promotion addressing misconceptions and barriers.     

健康教育对女性两癌认知水平及筛查行为的影响

目的：探讨健康教育对女性两癌认知水平及筛查行为的影响。方法选取136例女性为调查对象,采用自拟“两癌认知水平及筛查行为”调查表进行调查分析,根据调查结果制定具有针对性的健康教育干预方案,经过2年的调查研究,比较健康教育前后女性健康知识知晓情况及乳腺癌、宫颈癌筛查行为改善情况。结果健康教育前后,136例调查对象的癌症预防一般知识、乳腺癌相关知识及宫颈癌相关知识知晓率均高于健康教育前（χ2=3.866～6.259,P﹤0.05）;癌症预防一般知识,日常乳腺自我检查,乳腺癌筛查次数,阴道分泌物自我观察,宫颈癌筛查频率均优于健康教育前（t=7.264~12.183,P﹤0.05）。结论健康教育能提高女性两癌认知水平和保健意识,增加筛查行为,有利于两癌筛查工作的开展。     

Knowledge,Attitude and Practice of the Pap Smear as aScreening Procedure Among Nurses in a Tertiary Hospital inNorth Eastern India

Background: Cancer of the uterine cervix is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide.Industrialized countries have dramatically reduced the incidence of mortality from cervical carcinoma in the last50 years through aggressive screening programs utilizing pelvic examinations and Papanicolaou (Pap) smearsbut it still remains a major problem in the developing world. Objectives: This study was performed to determineknowledge, attitude and practice of Pap smear as a screening procedure among nurses in a tertiary hospitalin north eastern India. Material and Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out with a questionnairesurvey covering the socio demographic factors, knowledge, attitude and practices about Pap smear screeningamong 224 nurses in Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, Manipur, India during December 2011.Results: Two hundred and twenty one participants (98.6%) had heard about cervical carcinoma but 18.3%lacked adequate knowledge regarding risk factors. Knowledge about the Pap smear was adequate in 88.8% ofthe respondents. Out of these, only 11.6% had Pap smear at least once previously. The most common reasons fornon-participation in screening were lack of any symptoms (58.4%), lack of counselling (42.8%), physician doesnot request (29.9%) and fear of vaginal examination (20.5%). Conclusion: Although knowledge of Pap smear asa screening procedure for cervical cancer is high, practice is still low. The nurses who should be responsible foropportunistic screening of women they care for are not keen on getting screened themselves. If we can improvethe practice of Pap smear screening in such experts, they should be able to readily provide appropriate andaccurate information and motivate the general population to join screening programs.     

Awareness of Cervical Cancer Risk Factors and Screening Behaviour among Nurses in a Rural Region of Turkey

The demographic characteristics of nurses and knowledge on risk factors of cervical cancer, as well asawareness of symptoms and attitudes in terms of screening programmers such as Pap smear, were assessed in across-sectional survey of nurses working in public Health Cabins and Family Health Centers in the rural area ofIzmir, located in the western region of Turkey. Of the nurses who participated in the research, 69.1% (67) saidthat they had talked about cancer and cancer prevention with their families or friends; 60.8% (59) believed thattheir occupation was important for cancer prevention; 11.3% of the nurses had a history of cancer in theirfamilies; and 63.9% (62) thought that their knowledge about cervical cancer was adequate. There were nosignificant differences between knowledge or attitudes about cervical cancer risk factors or symptoms andscreening methods regarding age, marital status, years of experience (p>0.05). However, there was a statisticallysignificant relationship between having received a pap test and having a history of cancer in their family (p<0.05).In conclusion, this study has shown that most nurses knew about the Pap smear test as a cervical cancer screeningmethods. However, there were no significant differences between knowledge or attitudes about cervical cancerrisk factors or symptoms and screening methods regarding age, marital status, years of experience.     

Cancer screening status in Korea, 2011: results from the Korean National Cancer Screening Survey

This study was conducted to determine the use of screening for stomach, liver, colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers, which are included in the Korean National Cancer Screening Programme. In 2011 the National Cancer Centre in Korea conducted a nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional interview survey using multi-stage random sampling. Participants included 4,100 cancer-free men 40 years and over of age and women over 30 years of age. The lifetime screening rates for stomach, liver, colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers were 76.2%, 54.3%, 56.1%, 79.0%, and, 74.8%, respectively. The rates of recommended screening for stomach, liver, colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers were 64.6%, 22.9%, 35.3%, 60.4%, and 62.4%, respectively. More than 70% of all screening was attributed to organised cancer screening programmes. The main reason given for non attendance was 'no symptoms'. A greater effort is needed to increase screening rates, especially for liver and colorectal cancers.     

Distribution of cervical and breast cancer risk factors in women and their screening behaviours

Breast cancer and cervical cancer are important causes of cancer‐related mortality in women all over the world. The present study was conducted in order to investigate the distribution of cervical and breast cancer risk factors in women and their knowledge and behaviours about cancer screening methods. The study is cross‐sectional in nature. It was conducted with the participation of 1,886 women in Turkey. Data were collected through a questionnaire. The knowledge and behaviours of women aged 40 and over about breast cancer or cervical cancer screening methods were investigated according to the education level; results showed that the rates of those who knew and did breast self‐examination were significantly lower in illiterate women. Besides, the rates of women who did breast self‐examination were significantly lower in those who were aged 40 and over, and the rates of those who had clinical breast examination and Pap smear test were significantly lower in women aged 39 and below (p < 0.01). This study identified the most notable breast and cervical cancer risk factors as low education levels, high number of deliveries, short breastfeeding period, obesity and low socio‐economic level. For this reason, public health policies should be developed to minimise these risk factors.     

Breast and cervical cancer screening behaviours among colorectal cancer survivors in Nova Scotia

Purpose

We analyzed patterns and factors associated with receipt of breast and cervical cancer screening in a cohort of colorectal cancer survivors.

Methods

Individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer in Nova Scotia between January 2001 and December 2005 were eligible for inclusion. Receipt of breast and cervical cancer screening was determined using administrative data. General-population age restrictions were used in the analysis (breast: 40–69 years; cervical: 21–75 years). Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess time to first screen.

Results

Of 318 and 443 colorectal cancer survivors eligible for the breast and cervical cancer screening analysis respectively, 30.1% [95% confidence interval (ci): 21.2% to 39.0%] never received screening mammography, and 47.9% (95% ci: 37.8% to 58.0%) never received cervical cancer screening during the study period. Receipt of screening before the colorectal cancer diagnosis was strongly associated with receipt of screening after diagnosis (hazard ratio for breast cancer screening: 4.71; 95% ci: 3.42 to 6.51; hazard ratio for cervical cancer screening: 6.83; 95% ci: 4.58 to 10.16).

Conclusions

Many colorectal cancer survivors within general-population screening age recommendations did not receive breast and cervical cancer screening. Future research should focus on survivors who meet age recommendations for population-based cancer screening.     

Factors Associated with a Lack of Knowledge of Performing Breast Self-Examination and Unawareness of Cervical Cancer Screening Services: Evidence from the 2015 Egypt Health Issues Survey

Background: The incidence of breast and cervical cancers is growing rapidly among Egyptian women. In this context, we assessed the prevalence of, and factors associated with the lack of knowledge among Egyptian females of performing breast self–examination (BSE) and unawareness of cervical smear cancer screening services. Methods: Secondary data analysis was performed on a representative population-based sample of 7,518 Egyptian females aged 15–59 years from the 2015 Egypt Health Issues Survey (EHIS). Crude and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were used to explore the relationship between sociodemographic variables and having a lack of knowledge of performing BSE or unaware of cervical smear cancer screening service amongst 6,572 and 6,942 Egyptian females aged 21–59 years, respectively. Results: Mean age of females was 36.9 years with 62% aged between 21–39 years. The proportion of women with a lack of knowledge of performing BSE or who were unaware of cervical smear cancer screening service was 87.4% and 92.3%, respectively. After adjusting for potential confounding of sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics, young women aged 21–29 years (P<0.001), primary education or below (P<0.001), residing in rural areas (aOR, 1.37 and 1.48, P=0.001), accessing different media outlets "not at all or less than once a week" (aOR, 2.81 and 1.46, P≤0.05), were associated with a greater likelihood of being with lack knowledge of performing BSE or being unaware of cervical smear cancer screening services. Conclusions: In a country burdened with breast and cervical cancers, the majority of Egyptian women have a lack of knowledge on how to perform BSE or were unaware of the available cervical smear cancer screening services. Robust health campaigns are warranted to raise public knowledge of the method of BSE and of cervical smear cancer screening services, especially amongst females aged less than 30 years, with low levels of education, or those living in rural areas.     

Oral care in cancer nursing

The present study describes the perception of education, self-rated knowledge and attitudes towards oral care, performed oral care and co-operation with dentistry among nurses and enrolled nurses in charge of patients with haematological malignancies, lung cancer and head and neck cancer. A total of 137 nurses and enrolled nurses participated in a semi-structured interview based on a 43-item questionnaire. Nurses had less education in oral care and rated their knowledge on oral care lower than did enrolled nurses. Both groups reported a need for continuing education. Knowledge in oral care was rated to be poorest concern-ing oral status, oral signs and symptoms and fluorides. Nurses gave out information on oral complications and instruction in oral hygiene to a greater extent and examined the oral cavity more often than did enrolled nurses. A total of 18% felt uncomfortable in discussing oral hygiene with the patients and 45% objected to examining the oral cavity and stated patient integrity as the main reason. A majority reported that they received sufficient help from dentistry. There is a need for continuing education in oral care among nurses and enrolled nurses, which must be a responsibility of and in co-operation with dentistry.     

Knowledge Attitude and Practice of Colorectal Cancer among School Teachers in Al-Ahsa Saudi Arabia

Background: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of deaths among cancers affecting both men and women in the United States. Annually, about 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and more than 50,000 people die from it. In Saudi Arabia, this cancer ranks first among men and third among women. Nevertheless, this type of cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the level of colorectal cancer awareness among teaching staff (educators) in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: The current cross-sectional study was conducted in teaching staff in Al-Ahsa, Eastern province, Saudi Arabia, from February 2017 to May 2017. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection and SPSS (version 24) was run for data analysis. Result: A total of 367 teachers (165 males and 202 females) were recruited for the present investigation. The participants aged from 25 to 55 years and most of them were married (87%). The majority had inadequate knowledge about risk factors of colon cancer. No significant difference was observed between people living in urban and rural areas regarding knowledge of risk factors for colorectal cancer (p≥0.05). Concerning colorectal cancer screening tests, 39% of men and 42% of women were unaware ; although, 12.8% of the participants reported a positive family history of colon cancer. In General, participants with higher education level had higher level of awareness on colon cancer. Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrated that most of educators, including men and women are unaware of colon cancer risk factor. Furthermore, their knowledge of colon cancer signs, symptoms, and screening methods were inadequate. With respect to our findings, enhancement of colon cancer knowledge among educators is recommended using health education campaign in Al-Ahsa.