| Abstrak/Abstract |
Background: Low public knowledge and understanding, contributing to late diagnosis, has
identified cancer morbidity and mortality from breast cancer. This study was designed to
describe breast cancer knowledge and awareness and evaluate breast screening practice among
Yogyakarta women. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 350 low socioeconomic women in rural
and urban Yogyakarta areas was conducted using a validated self-designed structured
questionnaire. Analyzing data using descriptive statistics. Results: A vast majority of
respondents knew that breast cancer is a severe disease (85.14%) and can be detected as early
as possible (60.00%). Genetic and family cancer history was the best accepted risk factor for
breast cancer (61.43%), followed by oral contraception (44.57%), radiation (31.43%), smoking
(28.86%) and alcohol intake (21.71%). Over half of respondents (65.14%) correctly identified
niple and color discharge as one of the symptoms of breast cancer, followed by breast lump
(60.00%), breast swelling (56.29%) and breast fluid (44.57%). While 56.57 percent of
respondents had heard of breast self-examination ( BSE) and mammography, only 26.86
percent of respondents had regularly performed BSE, and only 28.00 percent of respondents
reported daily mammography. A large proportion of respondents (72.86%) never diagnosed
breast cancer. Conclusion: In Yogyakarta, the study reported inadequate breast cancer
awareness and poor breast screening practice among women with low socioeconomic status
aged 20-50 years. Health care professionals are fairly required to educate women about breast
cancer and promote early detection and breast cancer screening programs to prevent and
reduce breast cancer incidence and mortality. |
