Hebron University Research Journal-A (Natural Sciences) - (مجلة جامعة الخليل للبحوث- أ (العلوم الطبيعيه
Article Title
Abstract
Breast cancer, being the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide, leads to about 400,000 deaths yearly. All women should have a basic understanding of breast self-examination (BSE). This study aims at determining university students’ knowledge, behavior and beliefs about breast cancer and BSE. Data were obtained using a structured questionnaire that was distributed over 1200 female university students in 6 Palestinian universities. The questionnaire evaluated the students’ knowledge, behavior, and attitudes about breast cancer and BSE. The study revealed that 86% of the participants had an awareness of breast cancer and 33% were aware of the term BSE. Only 45% of the participants had ever performed BSE. The study also revealed some misconceptions related to breast cancer; about half of the participants believed that breast cancer certainly leads to death and 24% of them believed that a person can have breast cancer only if they had a family history. Further efforts need to be done to expand women’s knowledge about breast cancer, early detection and treatment
Recommended Citation
Khraiwesh, Alaa; Dweib, mohammad; Shakarna, Areej; and Solimia, Shireen
(2020)
"Knowledge, beliefs and attitudes of female university students in Palestine toward breast cancer and breast self-examination,"
Hebron University Research Journal-A (Natural Sciences) - (مجلة جامعة الخليل للبحوث- أ (العلوم الطبيعيه: Vol. 9:
Iss.
1, Article 3.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.aaru.edu.jo/hujr_a/vol9/iss1/3