Breast Cancer Awareness among Egyptian Women and the Impact of Caring for Patients with Breast Cancer on Family Caregivers’ Knowledge and Behaviour | ||
| Research in Oncology | ||
| Article 1, Volume 17, Issue 1, June 2021, Pages 1-8 PDF (162.07 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/resoncol.2020.42340.1114 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Ahmed H. Abdelaziz* 1, 2; May A. Shawki3; Amrou M. Shaaban4; Sali K. Albarouki5; Ahmad M. Rachid5; Obai M. Alsalhani5; Mona K. Jomaa1 | ||
| 1Clinical Oncology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt | ||
| 2Baheya Foundation for Breast Cancer, Giza, Egypt | ||
| 3Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt | ||
| 4Clinical Oncology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt | ||
| 5Ain Shams University Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Egyptian females. Most patients present at a late stage with subsequent poor outcomes. Aim: To study the awareness of breast cancer, its risk factors and screening. To investigate the impact of caring for a family member with breast cancer on the awareness and future attitudes of caregivers. Methods: The study included 704 females divided into two groups. A non-caregivers group including 248 participants representing the general population and a caregivers group including 456 family caregivers of breast cancer patients. We used a questionnaire comprised of 45 questions assessing four domains: individual risk factors, awareness of risk factors, awareness of screening, and the practice of and barriers to screening. Those who answered more than 50% of the questions correctly were considered to have good knowledge. Results: Sixty-nine percent of participants showed poor knowledge of risk factors. In the screening awareness domain, only 44% of participants scored >50% indicating defective knowledge. Caregivers attained significantly higher scores in all domains (p < 0.001). Yet, the overall assessment showed poor knowledge in both groups. Only 3% of non-caregivers and 19% of caregivers performed mammography (p < 0.001); while 11% and 38%, respectively, underwent breast self-examination (p < 0.001). Higher education level was associated with significantly better knowledge (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Breast cancer knowledge among Egyptian females is deficient. The level of education and caring for a breast cancer patient significantly affect the level of knowledge and attitude towards screening. There is a need to implement a comprehensive national awareness and screening programme. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Awareness; Breast cancer; Family caregivers; Egypt; Screening | ||
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