Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.24141/1/4/2/10
Awareness of breast self-examination among students at the University of Applied Health Sciences in Zagreb
Antonija Šajnović
orcid.org/0000-0002-0000-8139
; University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Nursing student
Ema Šerkić
; University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Nursing student
Matea Dumančić
orcid.org/0000-0003-2052-8307
; University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Nursing student
Ana Brčina
orcid.org/0000-0002-6531-7442
; University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Nursing student
Snježana Čukljek
orcid.org/0000-0002-6435-5818
; University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading type of cancer in the female population of Croatia, with incidence and mortality rate significantly higher than the EU average. By monthly breast self-examination, breast cancer can be detected at an earlier stage, which leads to decreased morbidity and mortality. Even though breast self-examination is an easy, fast and inexpensive screening method, a large number of women do not practise this method or lack the necessary knowledge to perform it correctly.
The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, opinions and prevalence of breast self-examination. The study was conducted at the University of Applied Health Sciences in Zagreb, where 528 female students were included from every study programme (Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Radiological Technology, Environmental Health Engineering and Occupational Therapy).
The results show that the majority of participants do not practise breast self-examination. Only 30% of the participants perform breast self-examination on a monthly basis. As the reason for not performing breast self-examination, the participants most commonly indicated their young age. 24% of the participants report that they do not know how to perform self-examination.
It is important to encourage the education of future health care professionals about the prevention measures, correct breast self examination techniques and the importance of early detection of breast cancer, so that they could apply acquired knowledge and skills on their future patients as well as themselves. The organisation of prevention programmes and participation in such programmes is essential in raising awareness of the importance of early detection.
Keywords
breast self-examination; preventive measures; breast cancer
Hrčak ID:
207692
URI
Publication date:
30.10.2018.
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