Assessment of the Factors Associated with Breast Cancer Screening Among Rural Women in Selected Villages, Mangalore

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, with nearly 1.7 million new cases diagnosed in 2012.One potentially important strategy in reducing breast cancer mortality is the use of screening to achieve earlier detection of cancer. Recommended preventive techniques to reduce breast cancer mortality and morbidity include breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE), and mammogram.

Objective: The purpose of the study is to assess the factors associated with breast cancer screening among rural women Research design and approach: Non-experimental, explorative survey design approach Setting: The study was conducted in villages of Bajpe , Mangalore

Sample size and technique: 100 rural women who were residing in the villages of Bajpe were selected by consecutive sampling technique

Instrument used: Data was collected using breast cancer screening questionnaire and checklist to assess the factors contributing to undergo/not undergo breast cancer screening.

Major findings: The finding of the study showed that socioeconomic and environmental factors such as affordable for screening (60%), peer or family support (75.56%), having health insurance (28.89%) and recommended by physician (48.89%) influenced the women for undergoing breast cancer screening and knowledge factors like lack of knowledge regarding screening (60%) and do not know where to seek for screening (61.81%) influenced the women not to undergo breast cancer screening.