Breast cancer awareness among female non-medical college students in Quezon City / The Health Sciences Journal

ABSTRACT

Introduction@#Breast cancer remains to be a public health problem in the Philippines. This study determined the level of breast cancer awareness among female non-medical students from selected private colleges in Quezon City. @*Methods@#This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey, and data collection was done on a single occasion. The study population was chosen via convenience sampling. The survey asked about the respondents' ideas on awareness, beliefs, perceived personal risk, perceived seriousness, and knowledge of etiology, diagnosis and management of breast cancer.@*Results@#Majority of the respondents associated lifestyle factors (smoking) with the development of breast cancer. Four-fifths regarded Western medicine as a mainstay of treatment, however, a significant proportion believed that breast cancer could be adequately managed and controlled with complementary and alternative treatments. Around 25% of respondents considered themselves at risk for breast cancer and 40% did not know. Close to 65% said that family history was a risk factor. Almost 50% never heard of self-breast examination; of those who knew about it, only 15% practiced it monthly. The respondents had varied answers when asked about the common symptoms and signs of breast cancer. At least two-thirds of respondents said that the treatment for breast cancer includes surgery and radiation therapy. Majority (79.8%) opined that having an education program would increase the level of awareness of the general public.@*Conclusion @#The students surveyed were generally aware about breast cancer, including aspects of epidemiology, diagnosis and management. The study also a revealed a number of misconceptions regarding breast cancer.