Evaluation of Breast Cancer Awareness among Female University Students in University of Sharjah, UAE
ABSTRACT
Objective: The objectives of this study were to assess the knowledge of breast cancer among female students at the College of Pharmacy at the University of Sharjah, UAE, and to evaluate the impact of the intervention program designed by the researchers on the student’s knowledge on the disease risk factors, screening methods, and their perception towards its treatment outcomes. Method: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey of a convenience sample of 166 pharmacy students ((n = 110; the 4th year) and (n = 56; the 5th year)) in the University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE. The 26-item questionnaire covered the personal information and socio-demographic characteristics, breast cancer general knowledge, knowledge of breast cancer risk factors, knowledge of breast cancer symptoms and screening tests, and perception of management and outcomes of breast cancer. Key Findings: A total of 120 pharmacy students from the 4th year (n = 70) and the 5th year (n = 50) had completed the survey for the pre-intervention phase of the study. For the post intervention phase of the study, only 63 students from the 4th year and 48 students from the 5th year returned their completed questionnaire, giving a response rate of 90% and 96% respectively. Almost one quarter (59 (25.5)) of the students included in the study reported that they have had a history of breast cancer in their family respectively. A high proportion (206 (89.2%)) of the students from both levels showed their interest in participating in activities to promote breast awareness, despite the fact that almost three quarters (161 (70%)) of the students reported that they have never been participated in any previous breast awareness programs. The awareness of students under investigation about self-examination was clearly improved at the end of the study period. Eighty (66.7%) of the students from both levels reported that the breast self-examination is recommended for female “once a month”. This figure was increased to 103 (92.8%) post the intervention sessions (P value χ2 < 0.001). Conclusion: The high incidence of breast cancer in the UAE may be attributed to the low level of awareness of the disease among females. Our findings can be used to promote discussion in the profession and with stakeholders about the future role of pharmacists in breast cancer care.
Objective: The objectives of this study were to assess the knowledge of breast cancer among female students at the College of Pharmacy at the University of Sharjah, UAE, and to evaluate the impact of the intervention program designed by the researchers on the student’s knowledge on the disease risk factors, screening methods, and their perception towards its treatment outcomes. Method: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey of a convenience sample of 166 pharmacy students ((n = 110; the 4th year) and (n = 56; the 5th year)) in the University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE. The 26-item questionnaire covered the personal information and socio-demographic characteristics, breast cancer general knowledge, knowledge of breast cancer risk factors, knowledge of breast cancer symptoms and screening tests, and perception of management and outcomes of breast cancer. Key Findings: A total of 120 pharmacy students from the 4th year (n = 70) and the 5th year (n = 50) had completed the survey for the pre-intervention phase of the study. For the post intervention phase of the study, only 63 students from the 4th year and 48 students from the 5th year returned their completed questionnaire, giving a response rate of 90% and 96% respectively. Almost one quarter (59 (25.5)) of the students included in the study reported that they have had a history of breast cancer in their family respectively. A high proportion (206 (89.2%)) of the students from both levels showed their interest in participating in activities to promote breast awareness, despite the fact that almost three quarters (161 (70%)) of the students reported that they have never been participated in any previous breast awareness programs. The awareness of students under investigation about self-examination was clearly improved at the end of the study period. Eighty (66.7%) of the students from both levels reported that the breast self-examination is recommended for female “once a month”. This figure was increased to 103 (92.8%) post the intervention sessions (P value χ2 < 0.001). Conclusion: The high incidence of breast cancer in the UAE may be attributed to the low level of awareness of the disease among females. Our findings can be used to promote discussion in the profession and with stakeholders about the future role of pharmacists in breast cancer care.
Cite this paper
Abduelkarem, A. , Saif, F. , Saif, S. and Alshoaiby, T. (2015) Evaluation of Breast Cancer Awareness among Female University Students in University of Sharjah, UAE. Advances in Breast Cancer Research, 4, 9-21. doi: 10.4236/abcr.2015.41002.
Abduelkarem, A. , Saif, F. , Saif, S. and Alshoaiby, T. (2015) Evaluation of Breast Cancer Awareness among Female University Students in University of Sharjah, UAE. Advances in Breast Cancer Research, 4, 9-21. doi: 10.4236/abcr.2015.41002.
References
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http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs297/en/index.html [2] Maughan, K.L., Lutterbie, M.A. and Ham, P.S. (2010) Treatment of Breast Cancer. American Family Physician, 81, 1339-1346. [3] Bray, F., MacCarron, P. and Maxwell Parkin, D. (2004) The Changing Global Patterns of Female Breast Cancer Incidence and Mortality. Breast cancer Research, 6, 229-239.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0019-509X.92262 [14] Bener, A., Honein, G., Carter, A., Da’ar, Z., Miller, C. and Dunn, E. (2002) The Determinants of Breast Cancer Screening Behavior: A Focus Group Study of Women in the United Arab Emirates. Oncology Nursing Forum, 29, E91-E98. http://dx.doi.org/10.1188/02.ONF.E91-E98 [15] Anderson, B.O., Braun, S., Lim, S., Smith, R.A., Taplin, S. and Thomas, D.B. (2003) Early Detection of Breast Cancer in Countries with Limited Resources. The Breast Journal, 9, S51-S59.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1524-4741.9.s2.4.x [16] English, J. (2003) Importance of Breast Awareness in Identification of Breast Cancer. Nursing Times, 99, 18-19. [17] Odusanya, O.O. and Tayo, O.O. (2001) Breast Cancer Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice among Nurses in Lagos, Nigeria. Acta Oncologica, 40, 844-848.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02841860152703472 [18] Sadler, G.R., Ko, C.M., Cohn, J.A., White, M., Weldon, R. and Wu, P. (2007) Breast Cancer Knowledge, Attitudes, and Screening Behaviors among African American Women: The Black Cosmetologists Promoting Health Program. BMC Public Health, 7, 57. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-7-57 [19] Grunfeld, E.A., Ramirez, A.J., Hunter, M.S. and Richards, M.A. (2002) Women’s Knowledge and Beliefs Regarding Breast Cancer. British Journal of Cancer, 86, 1373-1378.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjc.6600260 [20] Luquis, R.R. and Villanueva Cruz, I.J. (2006) Knowledge, Attitude and Perceptions about Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Screening among Hispanic Women Residing in South Central Pennsyl- vania. Journal of Community Health, 31, 25-42.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10900-005-8187-x [21] Okobia, M.N., Bunker, C.H., Okonofua, F.E. and Osime, U. (2006) Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Nigerian Women towards Breast Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study. World Journal of Surgical Oncolo- gy, 4, 11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1477-7819-4-11 [22] Hadi, M.A., Hassali, M.A., Shafie, A.A. and Awaisu, A. (2010) Evaluation of Breast Cancer Awareness among Female University Students in Malaysia. Pharmacy Practice (Internet), 8, 29-34. [23] Hadi, M.A., Hassali, M.A., Shafie, A.A. and Awaisu, A. (2010) Knowledge and Perception of Breast Cancer among Women of Various Ethnic Groups in the State of Penang: A Cross-Sectional Survey. Medical Principles and Practice, 19, 61-67. http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000252837 [24] Raosoft. An Online Sample Size Calculator. http://www.ezsurvey.com/samplesize [25] Abdel Hadi, M. (2000) Breast Cancer Awareness among Health Professionals. Annals of Saudi Medicine, 20, 135-136. [26] Alam, A. (2006) Knowledge of Breast Cancer and Its Risk and Protective Factors among Women in Riyadh. Annals of Saudi Medicine, 26, 272-277. [27] Dandash, K. and Al-Mohaimeed, A. (2007) Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Surrounding Breast Cancer and Screening in Female Teachers of Buraidah, Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Health Sciences, 1, 61-71. [28] Linsell, L., Burgess, C. and Ramirez, A.J. (2008) Breast Cancer Awareness among Older Women. British Journal of Cancer, 99, 1221-1225. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjc.6604668 [29] Montazeri, A., Vahdaninia, M., Harirchi, I., Harirchi, A.M., Sajadian, A., Khaleghi, F., et al. (2008) Breast Cancer in Iran: Need for Greater Women Awareness of Warning Signs and Effective Screening Methods. Asia Pacific Family Medicine, 7, 6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1447-056X-7-6 [30] Alharbi, N., Alshammari, M., Almutairi, B., Makboul, G. and El-Shazly, M. (2012) Knowledge, Awareness, and Practices Concerning Breast Cancer among Kuwaiti Female School Teachers. Alexan- dria Journal of Medicine, 48, 75-82. [31] Bener, A., El Ayoubi, H., Moore, M., Basha, B., Joseph, S. and Chouchane, L. (2009) Do We Need to Maximize the Breast Cancer Screening Awareness? Experience with an Endogamous Society with High Fertility. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 10, 599-604. [32] Jahan, S., Al-Saigul, M. and Abdelgadir, M.H. (2006) Breast Cancer: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Breast Self-Examination among Women in Qassim Region of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Medical Journal, 27, 1737-1741. [33] Radi, S.M. (2013) Breast Cancer Awareness among Saudi Females in Jeddah. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 14, 4307-4312. http://dx.doi.org/10.7314/APJCP.2013.14.7.4307 [34] Habib, F., Salman, S., Safwat, M. and Shalaby, S. (2010) Awareness and Knowledge of Breast Cancer among University Students in Al Madina Al Munawara Region. Middle East Journal of Cancer, 1, 159-166.
[1] World Health Organization (WHO) (2006) Cancer Fact Sheet No. 297.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs297/en/index.html [2] Maughan, K.L., Lutterbie, M.A. and Ham, P.S. (2010) Treatment of Breast Cancer. American Family Physician, 81, 1339-1346. [3] Bray, F., MacCarron, P. and Maxwell Parkin, D. (2004) The Changing Global Patterns of Female Breast Cancer Incidence and Mortality. Breast cancer Research, 6, 229-239.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/bcr932 [4] Smith, R.A., Caleffi, M., Albert, U.-S., Chen, T.H.H., duffy, S.W., et al. (2006) Breast Cancer in Limited Resource Countries: Early Detection and Access to Care. The Breast Journal, 12, S16-S26. [5] Cancer Research UK (2014) Breast Cancer Incidence Statistics.
http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerstats/types/breast/incidence/ [6] Parkin, D.M., Whelan, S.L., Ferlay, J., Raymond, L. and Young, J. (1997) Cancer Incidence in Five Continents. Vol. 8, IARC Press, Lyon. [7] Al-Sharbatti, S.S., Shaikh, R.B., Mathew, E. and Al-Biate, M.A.S. (2013) Breast Self-Examination Practice and Breast Cancer Risk Perception among Female University Students in Ajman. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 14, 4919-4923. http://dx.doi.org/10.7314/APJCP.2013.14.8.4919 [8] Ibrahim, O. and Ibrahim, R. (2013) Community Pharmacists’ Involvement in Breast Cancer Health Promotion in United Arab Emirates (UAE). American Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 8, 155-163. http://dx.doi.org/10.3844/ajptsp.2013.155.163 [9] Richards, M.A., Westcombe, A.M., Love, S.B., Littlejohns, P. and Ramirez, A.J. (1999) Influence of Delay on Survival in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review of the Literature. The Lancet, 353, 1119-1126. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(99)02143-1 [10] Rossi, S., Cinini, C., Di Pietro, C., Lombardi, C.P., Crucitti, A., Bellantone, R. and Crucitti, F. (1990) Diagnostic Delay in Breast Cancer: Correlation with Disease Stage and Prognosis. Tumori, 76, 559-562. [11] Rashidi, A. and Rajaram, S.S. (2000) Middle Eastern Asian Islamic Women and Breast Self-Examination: Needs Assessment. Cancer Nursing, 23, 64-70.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00002820-200002000-00010 [12] Rajaram, S.S. and Rashidi, A. (1999) Asian-Islamic Women and Breast Cancer Screening: A Socio-Cultural Analysis. Women & Health, 28, 45-58. http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J013v28n03_04 [13] Venkatramana, M., Sreedharan, J., Muttappallymyalil, J. and Thomas, M. (2011) Opinion of Nurses Regarding Breast Cancer Screening Programs. Indian Journal of Cancer, 48, 423-427.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0019-509X.92262 [14] Bener, A., Honein, G., Carter, A., Da’ar, Z., Miller, C. and Dunn, E. (2002) The Determinants of Breast Cancer Screening Behavior: A Focus Group Study of Women in the United Arab Emirates. Oncology Nursing Forum, 29, E91-E98. http://dx.doi.org/10.1188/02.ONF.E91-E98 [15] Anderson, B.O., Braun, S., Lim, S., Smith, R.A., Taplin, S. and Thomas, D.B. (2003) Early Detection of Breast Cancer in Countries with Limited Resources. The Breast Journal, 9, S51-S59.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1524-4741.9.s2.4.x [16] English, J. (2003) Importance of Breast Awareness in Identification of Breast Cancer. Nursing Times, 99, 18-19. [17] Odusanya, O.O. and Tayo, O.O. (2001) Breast Cancer Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice among Nurses in Lagos, Nigeria. Acta Oncologica, 40, 844-848.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02841860152703472 [18] Sadler, G.R., Ko, C.M., Cohn, J.A., White, M., Weldon, R. and Wu, P. (2007) Breast Cancer Knowledge, Attitudes, and Screening Behaviors among African American Women: The Black Cosmetologists Promoting Health Program. BMC Public Health, 7, 57. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-7-57 [19] Grunfeld, E.A., Ramirez, A.J., Hunter, M.S. and Richards, M.A. (2002) Women’s Knowledge and Beliefs Regarding Breast Cancer. British Journal of Cancer, 86, 1373-1378.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjc.6600260 [20] Luquis, R.R. and Villanueva Cruz, I.J. (2006) Knowledge, Attitude and Perceptions about Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Screening among Hispanic Women Residing in South Central Pennsyl- vania. Journal of Community Health, 31, 25-42.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10900-005-8187-x [21] Okobia, M.N., Bunker, C.H., Okonofua, F.E. and Osime, U. (2006) Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Nigerian Women towards Breast Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study. World Journal of Surgical Oncolo- gy, 4, 11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1477-7819-4-11 [22] Hadi, M.A., Hassali, M.A., Shafie, A.A. and Awaisu, A. (2010) Evaluation of Breast Cancer Awareness among Female University Students in Malaysia. Pharmacy Practice (Internet), 8, 29-34. [23] Hadi, M.A., Hassali, M.A., Shafie, A.A. and Awaisu, A. (2010) Knowledge and Perception of Breast Cancer among Women of Various Ethnic Groups in the State of Penang: A Cross-Sectional Survey. Medical Principles and Practice, 19, 61-67. http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000252837 [24] Raosoft. An Online Sample Size Calculator. http://www.ezsurvey.com/samplesize [25] Abdel Hadi, M. (2000) Breast Cancer Awareness among Health Professionals. Annals of Saudi Medicine, 20, 135-136. [26] Alam, A. (2006) Knowledge of Breast Cancer and Its Risk and Protective Factors among Women in Riyadh. Annals of Saudi Medicine, 26, 272-277. [27] Dandash, K. and Al-Mohaimeed, A. (2007) Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Surrounding Breast Cancer and Screening in Female Teachers of Buraidah, Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Health Sciences, 1, 61-71. [28] Linsell, L., Burgess, C. and Ramirez, A.J. (2008) Breast Cancer Awareness among Older Women. British Journal of Cancer, 99, 1221-1225. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjc.6604668 [29] Montazeri, A., Vahdaninia, M., Harirchi, I., Harirchi, A.M., Sajadian, A., Khaleghi, F., et al. (2008) Breast Cancer in Iran: Need for Greater Women Awareness of Warning Signs and Effective Screening Methods. Asia Pacific Family Medicine, 7, 6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1447-056X-7-6 [30] Alharbi, N., Alshammari, M., Almutairi, B., Makboul, G. and El-Shazly, M. (2012) Knowledge, Awareness, and Practices Concerning Breast Cancer among Kuwaiti Female School Teachers. Alexan- dria Journal of Medicine, 48, 75-82. [31] Bener, A., El Ayoubi, H., Moore, M., Basha, B., Joseph, S. and Chouchane, L. (2009) Do We Need to Maximize the Breast Cancer Screening Awareness? Experience with an Endogamous Society with High Fertility. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 10, 599-604. [32] Jahan, S., Al-Saigul, M. and Abdelgadir, M.H. (2006) Breast Cancer: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Breast Self-Examination among Women in Qassim Region of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Medical Journal, 27, 1737-1741. [33] Radi, S.M. (2013) Breast Cancer Awareness among Saudi Females in Jeddah. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 14, 4307-4312. http://dx.doi.org/10.7314/APJCP.2013.14.7.4307 [34] Habib, F., Salman, S., Safwat, M. and Shalaby, S. (2010) Awareness and Knowledge of Breast Cancer among University Students in Al Madina Al Munawara Region. Middle East Journal of Cancer, 1, 159-166.