title: Reducing the breast cancer menace: the role of the male partner in Ghana.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breast cancer continues to be the most common type of cancer afflicting many women worldwide. Presently, educational campaigns and research target only women as if men have no role in the management of this disease. The study examined the willingness of male partners to assist in early female breast cancer detection as well as their awareness and knowledge levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a semi-structured questionnaire, data was collected from 500 public servants within the Tamale Metropolis and analyzed in SPSS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The level of awareness of breast cancer was very high (98.8%) but there was a low level of knowledge of breast cancer among the male population. Marital status and religion had no effect on attitude, but increasing educational status significantly increased knowledge and positive attitude towards breast cancer examination (χ2=4.255, p=0.0391). The majority (92.0%) agreed that men can assist in early breast cancer detection and 96.2% were willing to be provided with breast examination skills.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although level of awareness on female breast cancers among the men was high, they generally lack knowledge of the disease. Majority of male partners want to assist in early breast cancer detection if provided with the necessary skills.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Biology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana E-mail : sokpesh@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Evans Paul Kwame
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Ameade
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amalba
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kudjo
authors.forename: Mark Kojo
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Kumah
authors.forename: Baba Sulemana
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Mohammed
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D016504:Breast Self-Examination; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005869:Ghana; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008327:Mammography / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011379:Prognosis; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult