Journal de médecine et de pratique en oncologie

Female Students Knowledge of Breast Self-examination in a University in the Western Cape

Abstract

Mavis Bobie Ansah* and Hilda Vember

The most common cancer in women worldwide is breast cancer. It is also the leading cancer affecting women in South Africa. When breast cancer is detected early, it improves the outcome of the disease and reduces mortality. The knowledge of female university students were assessed by the use of self-administered questionnaires and oneon- one interview. Participants lacked knowledge on breast cancer risk factors, as majority of them only knew about family history being a risk factor. Majority of the participants had never been educated by their healthcare provider on breast cancer and its screening.