Breast Cancer Awareness and the Practice of Self Breast Examination Among Undergraduate Students in Karachi, Pakistan.
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BACKGROUND: Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent malignancies affecting women worldwide, and breast self-examination (BSE) is acknowledged as a sensitive method for its early detection. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness regarding both breast cancer and BSE among undergraduate students in Karachi, Pakistan. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at a public-sector university in Karachi. A total of 328 female students were selected using multistage stratified cluster sampling. The Chi-square test was employed to evaluate differences in awareness levels across various socio-demographic characteristics, with a p value of less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. All ethical guidelines were strictly adhered to throughout the study. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 22 years. The study revealed that younger age groups (18-22 years), first-year students from various colleges, and students enrolled in business programs exhibited significantly lower levels of awareness regarding both breast cancer and BSE (p value <0.005). Overall, appropriate levels of awareness were reported by 45.1% of the participants for breast cancer and 47.3% for BSE. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that the awareness levels regarding breast cancer and BSE are inadequate, particularly among first-year students and those pursuing business-related studies. These results underscore the need for targeted educational interventions to enhance awareness and promote the early detection and effective management of breast cancer through the practice of BSE.