Breast Cancer Awareness Among Reproductive Age Group Women in Sebha, Libya

Abstract

Aim of the study

Breast cancer is a global health concern and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among all the cancers that affect women^.  In 2008, it was estimated that the prevalence of breast cancer in women aged 15 years and over in Sub-Saharan Africa is 23.5 per 100,000 women. Global statistics shows that the annual incidence of breast cancer is increasing and this is occurring more rapidly in countries with a low incidence rate of breast cancer. Literature showing a rise in breast cancer incidence rates in Sub-Saharan Africa. The  aim of  the study were  to determine  the awareness of  breast cancer among reproductive age group  women  and  the prevention  of  breast  cancer  among  reproductive age group women  in Sebha, Libya.

Materials and Methods

A descriptive was conducted to assess the awareness, knowledge and risk factors of breast cancer among the reproductive age group women in Sebha, Libya. Purposive sampling technique was employed to select sample and   it consisted of 258 women. Data was collected using structured interview schedule.

Results

Findings of the study showed that, an agreement with previous studies done in other parts of the world and showed the general lack of adequate knowledge on breast cancer. Out  of  258 reproductive  women  only  118 (45.74%) had adequate knowledge of breast cancer and majority  of  122 (47.27%)  reproductive  age group women had moderate knowledge of breast cancer and 18  (6.25%)  reproductive  age group women had inadequate knowledge of breast cancer. The prevalence of knowledge about breast cancer among reproductive women were 36.86%. There was significant association between the  knowledge of breast cancer and selected variables like age, literacy, occupation, income, type of family, diet habits, residence, parity, gestational  age, age at menarche, interval between labour, age at marriage( at p<0.05).

Conclusion

Findings  of  the  study  indicated the  need  to  conduct  frequent  assessment  of  knowledge  and risk factors  of  breast  cancer. Breast cancer mortality rate is much higher among Sub-Saharan women as compared to women in Western countries, even though the incidence rate is much higher in Western women. Apart from the fact that reproductive age women develop a more aggressive form of breast cancer, the higher mortality rate has been attributed to a general lack of public awareness of the disease, coupled with limited screening programs which often results in late diagnosis of the disease even after it has already metastasized to other organs. WHO and several international and local organizations have, in recent years, begun campaigns to increase breast cancer awareness among women throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. Breast cancer occurs much earlier in women reaching a peak 10 years earlier (35-40 years) making it more important to increase breast cancer awareness at an earlier age.