Breast Cancer Awareness and Knowledge Among Women at a Municipal Hospital in Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide; early detection improves prognosis while reducing mortality and morbidity.

Aims

This study evaluates awareness, knowledge, and health-seeking behaviors related to breast cancer among women attending Bibiani Municipal Hospital in Ghana, where data on awareness is scarce.

Methods and Results

This cross-sectional study involved 160 women attending the Bibiani Municipal Hospital. Validated questionnaires were used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, awareness and knowledge of breast cancer, breast self-examination (BSE), and health-seeking behaviors. Categorical variables were presented as frequency and percentages. Logistic regression was used to determine the independent predictors of adequate knowledge of breast cancer. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (version 26.0) and GraphPad Prism (version 8.0). p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Most participants were within 36–50 years (47.5%) and had no formal education (30.6%). Only 14.4% reported a family history of breast cancer. The majority (87.5%) were aware of breast cancer. However, only about 44% and 46% exhibited adequate knowledge regarding the risk factors, signs, and symptoms of breast cancer. The majority identified obesity (87.5%) and family history (80.6%) of breast cancer as risk factors, while most participants also identified a lump (68.1%) and pain (60%) in the breast as signs and symptoms. Education, employment status, age, and awareness of breast cancer were significantly associated with knowledge of breast cancer (p < 0.05). Only 47.5% were familiar with BSE, and BSE was performed by just 35.5% of participants. The majority (74.4%) indicated they would seek immediate help for a breast lump.

Conclusion

Despite high awareness of breast cancer, knowledge of its risk factors and the signs and symptoms was lacking, with over half unaware of breast self-examination (BSE). Health education campaigns by women-friendly organizations are crucial to improving awareness of symptoms, risk factors, and BSE in the Bibiani municipality.