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Worldwide review with meta-analysis of women's awareness about breast cancer
Yong-Jiu Wang1, Fei Wang1, Li-Xiang Yu1
1Department of Breast Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China; Institute of Translational Medicine of Breast Disease Prevention and Treatment, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Objective:
To summarize the awareness levels of breast cancer (BC) worldwide and investigate factors associated with BC awareness to determine differences in awareness between China and other countries.
Methods:
This systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines and included 92 articles up to July, 2021. We calculated percentages for BC awareness levels and conducted subgroup analysis and cumulative meta-analysis.
Results:
A total 84% (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 78-90%) of women knew about BC; however, only 51% (95%CI: 37-66%) and 40% (95%CI: 24-56%) of women were aware of BC symptoms and BC risk factors, respectively. The most commonly known BC symptom was breast lump (71%, 95%CI: 62-80%), and BC family history was the most well-known BC risk factor (61%, 95%CI: 54-69%). Subgroup analysis showed lower awareness levels among Chinese and Asian women than women from other countries. Cumulative meta-analysis showed no obvious progress in BC awareness levels over time. We investigated 15 awareness-related factors, the most frequent of which were education level (61.8%), occupation (29.4%), and age (26.5%).
Conclusion:
BC awareness levels remain low. Improving BC awareness is critical, especially in developing countries.
Practice Implications:
Effective education programs are urgently needed to improve women's BC awareness.
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