title: Knowledge, attitudes and practice of breast self-examination among women in a suburban area in Terengganu, Malaysia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in Malaysian women, irrespective of age group and ethnicity. The observed low survival rates are related to late stage at presentation despite the availability of breast self examination (BSE) as a reliable screening method for early detection.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was designed to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice towards BSE amongst women aged 15 years old and above. Systemic random sampling was applied and information gathered through guided interview by using a structured questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 86 respondents were recruited, with a mean age of 40.5 years (SD: 15.51), more than 80% having a secondary or tertiary level of education. The total score was 16.9 (total mean percent: 60.4%) for knowledge, 37.1 (77.3%) for attitude and 9.56 (34.1%) for practice. The proportions of respondents with good score for knowledge, attitude and practice were 38.4%, 73.3% and 7.0%, respectively. Not knowing the correct method of BSE, lack of knowledge on cancer signs and lack of motivational support from parents, spouse or friends appeared to be related with the poor practices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Enhancement of breast cancer awareness and focusing on recognized barriers by health care professionals with the involvement of spouses, family and community would have a substantial beneficial impact on BSE practice.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health Unit, Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia. rosmawati@kk.usm.my
authors.forename: N H Nik
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Rosmawati
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016504:Breast Self-Examination; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008327:Mammography; D008403:Mass Screening; D011379:Prognosis; D013383:Suburban Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult