Risk Factors for Breast Cancer in Third-Year Medical Students in NOVA Medical School

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Medical Education

Background:

• Breast cancer awareness, early detection, and treatment are vital for patient survival and quality of life.
• Assessing risk factors and perceptions is key to effective prevention strategies.
• Medical students are a crucial demographic for understanding health knowledge and future practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate breast cancer risk factors and perceptions among third-year medical students.
• To identify knowledge gaps and areas of consensus regarding breast cancer etiology.
• To inform targeted health education initiatives within medical schools.

Main Methods:

• An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study design was employed.
• Data were collected via a survey administered to third-year medical students at NOVA Medical School.
• The survey included questions on sociodemographic information and potential breast cancer risk factors.

Main Results:

• The study population comprised predominantly young females with a low prevalence of established risk factors like genetic predisposition and radiation exposure.
• Participants demonstrated a strong understanding of recognized breast cancer risk factors.
• A notable variation in opinion was observed regarding the influence of pre-menopausal body mass index on breast cancer risk.

Conclusions:

• Ongoing education on breast cancer and its associated risk factors is essential for medical students.
• Addressing specific knowledge discrepancies, such as the role of BMI, is important for comprehensive understanding.
• This research emphasizes the role of medical education in shaping future healthcare professionals' awareness and practices regarding breast cancer.