Enhancing Breast Cancer Awareness and Self-Examination Skills among Young Women: Impact of Educational Workshops | Chapter 8 | Achievements and Challenges of Medicine and Medical Science Vol. 6

Background: The most prevalent cancer in the world is breast cancer, a form of cancer in women; its incidence is rising in a number of nations. Breast self-examination is a basic and straightforward method for women to discover breast changes. Early detection of this malignant disease whether by monthly self-examination, annual mammography or BRCA testing, has a crucial role in treatment effectiveness which is considered typically a multimodal approach.

Objective: The purpose of this research is to identify the effects of breast cancer awareness workshops on female students. We evaluated the participants' breast cancer knowledge and breast self-examination skills prior to and following the workshop using a set of questionnaires developed for the study.

Methodology: We conducted a quasi-experimental study. We assessed the participants' understanding of breast cancer and their proficiency in performing breast self-examinations (BSE) prior to and following the workshop using a collection of surveys specifically designed for the study.

Results: This study of 200 female medical students found mixed initial awareness of breast cancer symptoms and risk factors, with significant improvements post-workshop. Knowledge of symptoms like lumps and risk factors such as age, obesity, and high-fat diets increased notably. Attitudes toward breast self-examination also improved after educational intervention.

Conclusion: The implementation of public awareness strategies is crucial to overcoming the growing burden of breast cancer. Based on the research's results, we believe that private and public schools in Al-Madina should provide regular workshops in regard to breast self-examination and breast cancer for female students for the purpose of expanding their understanding, confidence, and ability to teach other females about early diagnosis of breast cancer.

 

Author (s) Details

 

Faris M. Almahdi
Department of Basic Medical Science, College of Medicine, Alrayan Colleges, Al-Madina Al-Munawara, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Sara M. Altom
Department of Basic Medical Science, College of Medicine, Alrayan Colleges, Al-Madina Al-Munawara, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 

Eman A Eysawi
Department of Basic Medical Science, College of Medicine, Alrayan Colleges, Al-Madina Al-Munawara, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 

Asma A. Alharbi
Department of Basic Medical Science, College of Medicine, Alrayan Colleges, Al-Madina Al-Munawara, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 

Raga Ibrahim
Department of Basic Medical Science, College of Medicine, Alrayan Colleges, Al-Madina Al-Munawara, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 

Zainab A. AL-Bashir
Department of Basic Medical Science, College of Medicine, Alrayan Colleges, Al-Madina Al-Munawara, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 

Nafisa M. Al-Shameri
Department of Basic Medical Science, College of Medicine, Alrayan Colleges, Al-Madina Al-Munawara, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 

Huda E. Barakat
Department of Basic Medical Science, College of Medicine, Alrayan Colleges, Al-Madina Al-Munawara, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 

Lina A. Salim
Department of Anesthesia, College of Medical Sciences, Alrayan Colleges, Al-Madina Al-Munawara, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/acmms/v6/3203