Knowledge and Attitude Toward Breast Self-Examination Among Medical Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47203/IJCH.2025.v37i02.021Keywords:
Breast Self-Examination, Medical Students, Awareness, Knowledge; Attitudes, Cross-Sectional Study, DehradunAbstract
Background: Breast Self-Examination (BSE) is a fundamental method for the early detection of breast cancer. Despite its importance, awareness and practice of BSE among medical students—a key segment of the future healthcare workforce—remain inadequate. Aim & Objective: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of BSE knowledge, identify misconceptions, and evaluate the students’ willingness to discuss and promote BSE. Material and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students. Data was collected using a questionnaire with sections on demographic information, BSE knowledge, and attitudes toward BSE. Results: The study found that 42.7% of students were not taught how to perform BSE, and 35% received information about BSE from their teachers. Knowledge of BSE was limited, with many students holding misconceptions about the frequency and timing of the examination. Approximately 89.1% of students indicated they would seek medical attention if they found an abnormality, though 0.9% reported doing nothing in response to abnormal findings. A significant portion (77.7%) expressed a willingness to discuss BSE with peers. Conclusions: The study highlights critical gaps in BSE knowledge and practice among medical students, revealing a need for enhanced educational programs. Addressing misconceptions and improving education on BSE are essential for equipping future healthcare professionals with the necessary skills to advocate for early breast cancer detection.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Richa Sinha, Sonam Maheshwari, Aanchal Anant Awasthi, Vidhi Vora, Pratik Agarwal, Gurpreet Kaur
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