Awareness of Risk Factors of Breast Cancer among Menopausal Women in Guntur (Dt) of AP: An Interventional study

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women between the age groups of 40-60 years. Breast cancer is the commonest cancer among Indian women.The menopausal women is having lack of awareness about risk factors of this disease. Consequently the objective of this study is to find out the risk factors associated in developing breast cancer and their awareness. Materials and Methods: The quantitative study was carried out using multistage probability random sampling technique was used by taking every alternative house to draw the sample size of 202 to Experimental group from Mangalagiri and 199 samples to Control Group from Guntur urban areas respectively. Demographic variables, modifiable and non modifiable risk factors and the level of awareness were assessed by using structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: Among the respondents about 34% of Experimental Group and 31% of Control Group are having more than 5 risk factors and are considered as high or absolute risk of developing breast cancer in their life. With regard to awareness majority 79% of the Experimental Group and 78% of control group having <50% of the score in the pre-test which indicates the poor level of  awareness about risk factors of Breast Cancer. Conclusion: The findings of the study had concluded that there is a strong need to educate the public on the modifiable risk factors of breast cancer and the measures to prevent them at the earliest.