Awareness, Attitude, and Practice of Breast Cancer Screening Women, and the Associated Socio-Demographic Characteristics, in Northern Iran

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women, with a high rate of mortality. The burden of disease and its serious outcome could be prevented by early detection. OBJECTIVES: Thus, the objective of this study was investigation the awareness, attitude and practice of breast cancer screening women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study has conducted on 500 representative samples of women aged 20 - 65 years who referred to urban area of Babol health centers in 2012. The data have collected with standard questionnaire. The demographic data, the knowledge of risk factors and symptoms and sign, the health belief, and the practice of women in breast cancer screening have collected by interview. RESULTS: The results show that only 14.8% of participants had a high level of knowledge for breast cancer risk factors and 33.8% at high level of awareness of symptoms and signs. The level of awareness has significantly associated with higher age (P = 0.03) and higher educational level (P = 0.04). Only 10.2% and 8.4% of women have performed breast self- examination (BSE) monthly and breast clinical examination (BCE) annually respectively. The practice of women with BSE has significantly associated with aging (P = 0.005), higher educational level (P = 0.007), higher knowledge (P = 0.001) and positive attitude toward perceived benefits and confidence and health motivation (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The low level of awareness and practice of breast cancer screening have found in this study, emphasized an extension of framework health educational program, particularly in younger and low educated women.