Breast Cancer and Its Screening Awareness in the North Region of Cameroon

Abstract

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.