Assessment of self-reported practice patterns regarding treatment of dyslipidemia among physicians under training in family medicine in Ismailia governorate - Egypt

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Qatar, accounting for 29.9% of all female cancers, with an incidence rate of 13.3% in 2002. Knowledge and positive attitude towards breast cancer and the performance of breast self examination is crucial for early treatment and reduction in related mortality. Study Objectives: To assess the knowledge of breast cancer, to determine the attitude towards breast cancer and breast self-examination and to identify the current practice of breast self-examination among women attending PHC centres in Doha in 2009. Methodology: This is a cross sectional study conducted in the PHC centres in Doha. Women attending the PHC centres, aged 20 to 65, Qatari and non-Qatari women were studied. The sampling method used was a two stage stratified systematic random sample. The sample size was calculated with a total of 262 participants. The sample population was collected from six health centres proportionately according to the average number of the women served by each PHC centre. Data collection tool was in the form of an interview aided questionnaire, composed of 4 sections; personal and demographic information, knowledge about breast cancer, attitude (perceived seriousness, susceptibility, barriers and benefits). Finally the last section includes data about practice of breast self examination. Appropriate data analysis was done. Ethical considerations were followed throughout the study. Results: The total response rate was 99.2%. The most identified risk factors for breast cancer by the studied women were smoking, family history, and exposure to radiation (72%, 67.7% and 63.8% respectively). Fifty percent of the women knew the signs, symptoms and more than 90% knew the methods of breast cancer early diagnosis. 81.6% of the participating women perceived seriousness of breast cancer with a mean and standard deviation of 3.42± 0.8 and only 15.7% of the participating women perceived their susceptibility to breast cancer with a mean and standard deviation 2.75± 0.7. A percent of 90.4 of the women perceived the benefits of breast self examination. The most perceived barrier for not practicing breast self examination was fear of not being able to do it properly 56.9%, and the higher the level of the education the more participating women overcame the perceived barriers. Thirty five percent of the studied women practiced breast self-examination. Only 22.8% of the women who practiced breast self-examination performed it at the correct time (once every month). Eighty nine percent of the participating women intended to do breast self-examination over the next year. Conclusion: Many women had knowledge about risk factors of breast cancer; the signs, symptoms and the early detection methods of breast cancer. The seriousness of breast cancer and the benefits of breast self examination were perceived by most of the participating women, while susceptibility to breast cancer was not. A percentage of 35 of the studied women practiced breast self examination. The most frequent barrier identified by the participating women for not practicing BSE was fear of not being able to do breast self examination properly. Recommendations: The study recommends increasing the awareness about breast cancer risk factors and emphasizing the importance of practicing breast self examination through regular breast cancer awareness campaigns. Providing health educational sessions about BSE including practical demonstrations of breast self examination for women attending PHC centres is also recommended.