Breast Self-Examination: Evaluating Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among Female Medical Students

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Medical Education

Background:

• Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths in India, making early detection vital.
• Breast self-examination (BSE) is a simple, cost-free method for early breast cancer detection.
• Despite its importance, BSE practice remains infrequent, especially in resource-limited settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of breast self-examination (BSE) among female medical students.
• To identify factors influencing BSE adoption in a specific Indian medical college setting.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 146 undergraduate female medical students.
• Data were collected using a pretested, semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire.
• Statistical analyses included chi-square tests and Pearson's correlation to evaluate knowledge, attitude, and practice.

Main Results:

• Over half of the students (52.1%) had inadequate knowledge of BSE, and only 49.3% reported satisfactory practice.
• Awareness of BSE was high (68.5%), but detailed understanding of technique, timing, and frequency was limited.
• A significant portion (51.4%) held negative attitudes towards BSE, and only 29.5% had ever performed it.

Conclusions:

• Female medical students in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, exhibit insufficient knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding BSE.
• Informational gaps and psychological barriers contribute to the underutilization of this simple screening method.
• Improved knowledge, attitude, and practice correlate with academic progression, suggesting the value of structured education.