Correlation between Breast Self-Examination Practices and Demographic Characteristics, Risk Factors and Clinical Stage of Breast Cancer among Iraqi Patients

Authors

  • Ahmad S. A. Al-Gburi National Cancer Research Centre, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
  • Nada A. S. Alwan National Cancer Research Centre, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2019.805

Keywords:

Breast self-examination, demographic, risk factors, clinical stage, Iraqi patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Breast Cancer (BC) is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among women globally. The disease can be cured with limited resources if detected early. Breast self-examination (BSE) is considered a cost-effective feasible approach for early detection of that cancer in developing countries.

AIM: To determine the correlation between BSE performance and demographic characteristics, risk factors and clinical stage of BC among Iraqi patients.

METHODS: This retrospective study included a total of 409 female patients diagnosed with BC at the Referral Training Center for Early Detection of Breast Cancer and the National Cancer Research Center in Baghdad. The studied variables included the age of the patient, occupation, marital and educational status, parity, history of lactation, contraceptive pill intake, family history of cancer and the clinical stage of the disease.

RESULTS: Our findings revealed that the most important predictors for practicing BSE was family history of BC or any other cancers (OR = 3.87, P = 0.018) followed by being a governmental employee (OR = 1.87, P = 0.024), history of contraceptive use (OR = 1.80, P = 0.011) and the high level of education (OR = 1.73, P = 0.004). On the other hand, there was no significant correlation between the practice of BSE and the BC stage at the time of presentation.

CONCLUSION: There is a relatively poor practice of BSE among Iraqi patients diagnosed with BC. It is mandatory to foster the national cancer control strategies that focus on raising the level of awareness among the community through public education as a major approach to the early detection of cancer in Iraq.

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Published

2019-10-10

How to Cite

1.
Al-Gburi ASA, Alwan NAS. Correlation between Breast Self-Examination Practices and Demographic Characteristics, Risk Factors and Clinical Stage of Breast Cancer among Iraqi Patients. Open Access Maced J Med Sci [Internet]. 2019 Oct. 10 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];7(19):3216-20. Available from: https://oamjms.eu/index.php/mjms/article/view/oamjms.2019.805

Issue

Section

B - Clinical Sciences