Risk factors and level of knowledge about breast cancer in women in female Medical students

Abstract

Introduction: female breast cancer is a global health problem.

Objective: to characterize medical students from the demographic, epidemiological and level of knowledge about breast cancer.

Methods: from the universe of 485 females from first to third year of the University of Medical Sciences of Cienfuegos, a sample of 150 was selected, according to stratified random sampling. Theoretical and empirical methods were applied. Ethical precepts were followed.

Results: the group of 20-30 years (75,00 %) and white skin color (66,00 %) predominated. Non-modifiable risks: early menarche (6,67 %) and late (2,67 %), irregular menstrual formula (22,00 %), breastfeeding less than six months (2,67 %), family history on the paternal line (8,00 %), maternal (5,33 %) and personal (5,33 %). Modifiable risks: consumption of oral contraceptives (55,33 %), sedentary lifestyle (52,00 %), overweight (24,00 %), obesity (10,00 %), hormonal treatment (7,33 %), alcohol consumption (22,67 %). Knowledge of risk factors and early diagnosis were rated as poor (56,67 % and 44,00 % respectively), and about the warning signs of good (42,67 %). 84.00% of women aged 20 to 30 knew about the self-examination, but only 17,33 % did it.

Conclusions: white young women, oral contraceptive consumption, sedentary lifestyle and poor rating on risk factors and early diagnosis predominated. Most had knowledge of self-examination, but few did it on a monthly basis