Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of epithelial cells originating in the ducts or breast lobules. Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer in women, and it continues to be a worldwide medical problem since the number of cases has significantly increased over the past decades. Each year in the United States, about 255,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women and about 2,300 in men. About 42,000 women die each year from breast cancer.

Methods: The study used a Cross sectional study design using a convenient sampling technique. The study targeted individuals living in the Bonadikombo community.

Results: Findings from the study showed that, 100 participants were enrolled and 100 (100.0%) persons completed the questionnaire. Findings from the study showed that, of the 100 participants recruited, 38(38.0%) of the participants were aged 18–24 years 95 (95.0%) of the participants knew that breast cancer was preventable 91.0% of the participants practice breast self examination. 51.0% of the respondents only performed breast self-examination when they remembered while 35.0% practiced breast self examination monthly.

Conclusion: This study underscores the complex interplay between knowledge, practices, and challenges in breast cancer prevention among women of reproductive age. While awareness of breast cancer prevention appears high, there remains a significant gap between knowledge and consistent preventive behaviors, such as regular breast self-examinations and physical activity.

Recommendations: There should be an increased focus on public health campaigns that leverage social media and other digital platforms to educate women about the importance of regular breast self-examinations, clinical breast exams, and other preventive measures.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of epithelial cells originating in the ducts or breast lobules (Carbone et al., 2013). Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer in women, and it continues to be a worldwide medical problem since the number of cases has significantly increased over the past decades (CSD 2016).

According to WHO (2021), Breast cancer arises in the Lining cells (epithelium) of the ducts (85%) or lobules (15%) in the glandular tissue of the breast. Initially, the cancerous growth is confined to the duct or lobule (“in situ”) where it generally causes no symptoms and has minimal potential for spread (metastasis). Breast cancer is a life threatening disease affecting woman across the globe (Sehrawat et al., 2017).

Breast cancer has a very long history as it was first reported by the Egyptians more than 3500 years ago in about 1500 BC (Ebeid et al.,2019). Cancer of the breast was diagnosed globally in 2020, 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer and 685000 deaths, and before the year ended, it was reported that 7.8 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer in the past 5 years, making it the world’s most prevalent cancer. A study in the United States has showed that women are 100 times more likely to develop breast cancer more than men are. This is because their breast cells are constantly expose to the female hormones estrogen and progesterone, which promote cell growth. Breast cancer occurs in every country of the world in women at any age after puberty but with increasing rates in later life (WHO, 2021). Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among females in the United States.

Researchers across the globe are working to find new and improved ways to prevent, detect, and treat breast cancer in the world. Each year in the United States, about 255000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women and about 2300 in men. About 42000 women die each year from breast cancer). In addition, patients, healthcare providers, and system mediated barriers have also been reported the reasons for late medical care among cancer patients (Morse et al., 2014).

For instance, there are very few places with specialized capacities for diagnosing cancer and its diagnostic centers are only available only in tertiary hospitals making the services less accessible and expensive for patients in remote areas in the world. To prevent and control breast cancer, several measures have been taken by the WHO, government, health ministries, and non-Government Mental Organizations (NGOs).

In Africa, breast cancer caused 74072 deaths and 168690 cases were estimated to have occurred in 2018. According to the 2020 data in Africa,186598 cases were reported with 85,787 related deaths. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, there were 2,625 new cases of breast cancer per 100,000 women in Cameroon during 2012. This estimate, however, was based on data extrapolated from a regional hospital-based cancer registry covering part of the country.

Thus, currently available data may not accurately reflect the true burden and patterns of breast disease across all regions of Cameroon, especially since registries do not account for individuals who fail to present to formal care. Evidence has shown that black women have a higher rate of death from cancer than white women (CDC, 2021). The high mortality rate attributed to breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa is partly due to lack of knowledge pertaining to risk factors, signs and symptoms such as breast lump, increase in size of the breast and an ulcer on the breast, and early detection methods among women as well as effects such as breast amputation and death are causing these women to seek medical treatment at late stages of the ease when it can no longer be reversed (Sehrawat et al., 2017)

1.2 Problem Statement

There is a notable disparity in both the understanding and implementation of breast cancer prevention measures among women of reproductive age. Despite the availability of educational resources and campaigns, many women lack comprehensive knowledge about the risk factors, early detection methods, and lifestyle practices that can reduce the likelihood of developing breast cancer.

This gap in awareness and action hinders effective prevention strategies and contributes to a higher incidence of late-stage diagnoses and mortality rates among this demographic. Addressing this disparity is imperative to empower women with the information and resources necessary to proactively safeguard their health and reduce the burden of breast cancer within the population of Bonadikombo.

1.3 Rationale of study

The aim of this study is to assess women’s knowledge on breast cancer and their preventive practices in the Bonadikombocommunity to help reduce morbidity and mortality related to breast cancer and by improving the knowledge and prevention of breast cancer in women.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What knowledge do women of reproductive age have on the prevention of breast cancer at the Bonadikombo community?
2. What are the practices carried out by women of reproductive age to prevent breast cancer at the Bonadikombo community?
3. What are the challenges faced in the prevention of breast cancer amongst women of reproductive age at the Bonadikombo community?
4. What are the Consequences of breast cancer amongst women of child bearing ages at the Bonadikombo community?

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