Author(s)

S. Keerthana, Arcot Rekha

Saveetha Medical College and Hospital (SIMATS), Chennai, India.

Background: Worldwide breast cancer represents nearly a quarter (25%) of all cancers and is the most common female cancer. Objective: The present study was conducted to check the awareness of breast cancer warning signs & symptoms, available investigations and treatment options among women of a suburban area in Chennai, Tamilnadu (India). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, prospective study was conducted amongst women attending the surgery outpatient department of a tertiary care teaching institution in Chennai, Tamilnadu (India), using a semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaires were administered during one to one interview by trained research assistants. Results: The study population showed poor awareness of warning signs like changes in position of nipple, pulling in of nipple, nipple rash, changes in size of nipple, puckering/dimpling of breast skin colour changes in breast skin, lump under armpit, changes in size and shape of breast. Conclusion: The observations indicated that the level of awareness and knowledge about the presentation and management of breast cancer is suboptimal among women in Thandalam (suburban Chennai).

Breast Cancer, Awareness, Questionnaire, Mammogram, Barriers, Screening, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

Keerthana, S. and Rekha, A. (2019) Awareness of Breast Cancer in Lower Socioeconomic Status Women Attending the Surgery Outpatient Department of a Tertiary Care Teaching Institution. Case Reports in Clinical Medicine, 8, 205-215. doi: 10.4236/crcm.2019.88025.