Breast Self Examination and Breast Cancer Knowledge among College Students

Significance: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women after skin cancer. While breast cancer is more prevalent in older women, college-aged females are at risk and several preventative measures and early diagnosis tools can have a profound effect later in their lives.

Purpose: This study is designed to assess the knowledge of breast cancer and breast self examination (BSE) among female college students at a large public university in Southeast of the U.S.

Method: This study employed a cross section survey design and received an IRB approval. Using the health belief model as a framework, a 31-item questionnaire was developed and validated. A total of 290 female students with a mean age of 19.32±2.06 completed the online survey.

Results This study found that many respondents have never had a breast examination for lumps by their doctors (29%) or by themselves (22%). Many respondents lack adequate knowledge about breast cancer. For example, over 10% of respondents thought that breast cancer was more common in women with big breasts and 11% did not know\ whether that statement was true, 25% did not know that foods high in fat and few fruits and vegetables increase breast cancer risk, and 72.3% believed that only doctors and can find lumps in the breasts.

Translation to Health Education: Although there is a need for a larger scale study in the future, results from this study demonstrated the need for developing and implementing effective breast cancer education and prevention programs for college female students. >