Breast Cancer and Its Screening Awareness in the North Region of Cameroon
2021
Due to the late diagnosis, resulting partly from the
absence of national screening programs, breast cancer has become a real
public health problem in Cameroon, particularly in rural areas. This work aimed
to assess breast cancer awareness in the North Region of Cameroon. Participants
were selected randomly in six health centers surrounding rural areas of
Garoua, North Region of Cameroon, and administered a questionnaire aimed at assessing their
awareness about breast cancer warning signs and screening methods. Out of 475
women (including 37 medical personnel) interviewed, 23.3% had misconceptions
and myth-based ideas on the origin of the disease. Employed women were more
aware of breast cancer, its risk factors and symptoms as compared to other
groups (p < 0.0001) for most of the risk factors and symptoms. Participants
with higher education and employed women were also more aware of breast cancer
screening, including breast self-examination mammography, and breast ultrasound
(p < 0.0001 vs. other groups). Breast cancer screening and breast
self-examination were mostly performed by women with higher education and
employed women (p < 0.0001 compared to other groups). Ignorance was the main
reason preventing women from performing breast self-examination and the high
cost prevented going for mammography. Our study highlights the need to raise
awareness among the populations in Cameroon North Region about the risk factors
and clinical signs of breast cancer and the importance of screening practice
for the early diagnosis of breast cancer.
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