BREAST CANCER PREVENTION AWARENESS AND PRACTICES AMONG WOMEN WITH FAMILIAL RISK IN EDE, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Women with Family History (FH) of Breast Cancer (BRCA) in first-degree relative have a relative risk >4 due to inherited genetic mutation genes. This study therefore assessed knowledge and practices of BRCA prevention among women with FH of BRCA in the study area.

This is a cross-sectional study. Snowball sampling technique was used to select 189 women with FH of BRCA. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtained data and Descriptive statistics and t-test were used for the analysis.

Respondents mean age was 43.4±9.2 years. Some (42.9%) were not aware of their susceptibility to BRCA. Some (42.9%) of respondents have family members who had died of BRCA and 13.2% have family members who currently have BRCA. Many (61.4%) believed that BRCA is not curable even when detected early and 65.1% did not know that painless lump in the breast is one of the signs of BRCA. Preventive practices among respondents included regular taking of herbs (67.5%) and breastfeeding for longer than 1 year (14.5%). Majority (96.3%) and 38.6% have never performed mammogram and breast self-examination respectively. 

Incorrect preventive practices existed among respondents. Information, education and communication programme on breast cancer prevention should be intensified for these women