title: Knowledge of Female Undergraduate Students on Breast Cancer and Breast Self-examination in Klang Valley, Malaysia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Malaysia, breast cancer is the first cancer among females regardness of race.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to identify the knowledge and BSE practice among undergraduate female students at four public universities in Klang Valley, Malaysia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was conducted among 820 undergraduate female students using a self-administered questionnaire covering socio-demographic data, knowledge of breast cancer and BSE practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the respondents was 21.7±1.2 years. The majority of them were single (96.8%), Malay (91.9%) and 16.5% of respondents had a family history of breast cancer. This study showed low level of knowledge on breast cancer and breast self-examination among participants. Only 19.6% participants were performing BSE regularly. Knowledge of breast self-examination was significantly associated with BSE practice (p=0.00). Also, there were significant associations between performing BSE with age, marital status and being trained by a doctor for doing BSE (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings showed that the rate of BSE practice and knowledge of breast cancer is inadequate among young Malaysian females. A public health education program is essential to improve breast cancer prevention among this group.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Resource and Education Center, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia E-mail : latiffah.latiff@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mehrnoosh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akhtari-Zavare
authors.forename: Latiffah A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Latiff
authors.forename: Muhamad Hanafiah
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Juni
authors.forename: Salmiah Md
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Said
authors.forename: Irmi Zarina
authors.initials: IZ
authors.lastname: Ismail
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016504:Breast Self-Examination; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D017533:Marital Status; D012307:Risk Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult