ABSTRACT

Background: Breast    cancer    is    undoubtedly    the    most dreaded cancer with lots of psychological impacts and one of the most popular malignancies that affect about one in every nine women (Ramathuba et al., 2015). The cancer is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the milk producing glands of the breast or in the passages (ducts) that deliver milk to the nipples (Garcia et al., 2017).

Method: The study was carried out in Muea community south west region Buea municipality was carried out from November 2022 to March 2023. The sample size was made up of 50 women methods: a convinced sampling techniques employed was via the used of questionnaires which were designed according to the objectives of the study. Pre-testing of the questionairs was done at Bonduma gate a community similar to Muea. The General objectives of this study was to investigate the knowledge and awareness of women with regards to breast cancers and its prevention in the Muea community, had as objectives to assess women knowledge on breast cancer, to assess women knowledge with regards to breast self-examination, to assess women knowledge in regards to the associated risk factors of breast cancer.

Results: From the findings of this study it was realized that, Majority (44.00%) of females  educational qualification was  FSLC while least qualification were those with degree 2% in terms of  knowledge on breast cancer, 13.00%had knowledge on breast cancer while 68.00% of the participants have heard of breast cancer, majority of the participants lack knowledge on breast self-examination 16.00%.

Conclusion: Participants had good knowledge on breast cancer prevention.

Recommendation The ministry of health should make used of social media and other forms of electronic means to get information on breast cancer, highlighting it risk factors and the benefits of early detection to young females so as to increase the level of awareness on breast cancer and it prevention. Secondly health care professionals should have organized both hospital based   and community based champagnes targeting young females to provide education and sensitization on breast cancer screening and its prevention. Lastly young females should get themselves acquainted with breast self-examination and physical exercise as tolerated by their health status given that this are the cheapest and easiest ways in preventing and limiting the spread of breast cancer.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

 1.1 Background of the Study

Breast    cancer    is    undoubtedly    the    most dreaded cancer with lots of psychological impacts and one of the most popular malignancies that affect about one in every nine women (Ramathuba et al., 2015). The cancer is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the milk producing glands of the breast or in the passages (ducts) that deliver milk to the nipples (Garcia et al., 2017). These cells usually form a tumor that can often be seen on Xray or felt as a lump and can invade and damage normal tissues (American Cancer Society, 2017). The tumor is malignant (cancerous) if the cells can grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body (WHO, 2019; Shannon and Chittenden, 2015). 

 Breast cancer has been reported as one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in women and the leading cause of cancer deaths globally (Bray et al., 2020). In 2018, of the 8.6 million new cases of cancer globally, 8.1% occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Breast Cancer also accounted for nearly 15% of the 4.2 million mortality due to cancer worldwide with SSA accounting for 11.8% (Bray et al., 2020). It is estimated that 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer over a lifetime and in the next decade, 19.7 million new cases are expected globally by

2030, and 10.6 million will occur in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) (Abate et al., 2022; Are et al., 2020). Similarly approximately 50% of breast cancer cases and 58% of deaths have been reported to occur in developing countries (Ng’ida et al., 2019). 

 Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women globally (Sehrawat et al., 2017). In

2020, there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer and 685000 deaths globally.

As of the end of 2020, it was reported that there were 7.8 million women alive who were diagnosed with breast cancer in the past 5 years, making it the world’s most prevalent cancer. (WHO, 2020). Across Sub-Saharan Africa, the incidence and mortality of breast cancer have been continuously rising, primarily due to aging and population growth and a higher prevalence of risk factors associated with economic development (e.g., smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, and changing reproductive behaviors) (Parkin et al., 2018). This growing trend has also been observed in the Central African country of Cameroon, where breast cancer is now the leading cancer among women in Yaoundé, comprising 18.5% of all cancers and 32.5% of female cancers (Enow Orock, Ndom, and Doh, 2016). 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 2014 (Stimpfel and Virant-Klun, 2018). 

 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 (Dandash and Al-Mohaimeed, 2017). This usually leads to poor prognosis, breast amputation and death among women. Action is needed to prevent and detect BC early through the different screening methods, as a mandate to help achieve the agenda for sustainable development goal (SDG) 3.4 by 2030 (GA, 2015). To facilitate early detection of BC, knowledge and practice on the screening methods are essential. Clinical breast examination and mammography are ideal for BC diagnosis, however, access to these methods in most SSA countries is a major challenge (Bello et al., 2017). Economic constraints impede the availability of mammography in the majority of the health facilities (Black and Richmond, 2019; Adebusoye et al., 2013). In addition, both clinical breast examination and mammography require expertise, specialized equipment, and a visit to the health facility (Adebusoye et al., 2013). Breast self-examination

(BSE) is a non-invasive procedure performed by the women monthly to determine a normal breast and recognize any change on the breast for early medical care to be sought (Wilke et al., 2019). Women’s knowledge and attitude towards BSE as a method of early detection of Breast Cancer and other breast abnormalities is important (Agbo et al., 2016).

1.2. Statement of the Problem

Breast cancer is a common malignancy in women globally including in Cameroon. It is often characterized by a lack of early symptoms, which results in late detection of the disease. Detection at advanced stages of the disease implies the treatment is more difficult and uncertain. It   has   been   argued   that a lack   of   basic knowledge and quality information delivery system for breast  cancer  is  a  great  impediment  to  the  life  and well-being  of  women (Ramathuba, 2015).  Breast cancer has been a major cause of death subtly killing women –especially those with little  or  no  education.  This  is  compounded by the lack  of  timely  information  about  breast  cancer and  poor  diagnostics  screening  methods  for  early detection (Shepherd and Mclnerney, 20120). Prevention remains the cornerstone of the fight against breast cancer worldwide. Although some prevention methods have been proposed, many remain inaccessible to women in developing countries who, ironically, given the limited diagnostic and curative facilities available to them, need prevention the most. The findings of a study conducted in Cameroon by Suh et al., (2013) revealed that the attitude towards prevention of breast cancer, while perceived as important, was poor among women in Buea. This poor attitude towards preventive was also reported by Nde et al., (2015). No recent studies have been done to assess any improvements in the attitude of women towards breast cancer preventive strategies although risk factors still prevail. Hence, the purpose of this study.

1.3. Rationale

Awareness of breast cancer among women is not generally high in sub Saharan Africa and not very well documented in Cameroon. Breast cancer awareness can significantly contribute to early diagnosis and disease mortality reduction (Anderson and Jakesz 2018).

1.4. Research Questions  

1. What do women in the Muea community know about breast cancer and its prevention?
2. What are the attitudes of women in the Muea community towards the prevention of breast cancer.
3. What knowledge do women in the Muea community have on breast self examination

1.5. Research Objectives

1.5.1. General objective

To assess breast cancer awareness and attitudes towards preventive strategies among women aged 18 years and above in the Muea community, Buea.

1.5.2. Specific objectives

1. To assess the knowledge on breast cancer among women in the Muea community, Buea
2. To assess the attitudes towards the prevention of breast cancer among women in the Muea community, Buea

To assess women knowledge at the Muea community with respect to breast self-examination.