N Dhana Lakshmi

Abstract

Background: Carcinoma breast is the most common cancer among women worldwide and is the malignant neoplasm affecting and causing mortality among women.. The main objectives of the present study were to assess the knowledge regarding risk factors and its preventive measures of carcinoma breast among urban and rural Indian women. Materials and Methods: A descriptive research design was used to assess the knowledge regarding risk factors and its preventive measures of carcinoma breast among women in selected urban and rural areas of Tirupati, India. A total of 100 women were selected from urban and Rural areas by convenient sampling technique. The tool used for conducting the study was structured questionnaire on knowledge risk factors and its preventive measures of carcinoma breast. Results: The knowledge on risk factors, out of 50 urban women i.e., 30 (60%) had moderate knowledge, 19 (38%) had inadequate knowledge and only 1 (2%) had adequate level of knowledge regarding risk factors of carcinoma breast adequate knowledge with the mean and standard deviation 15.6 and 3.423. Whereas in rural women, out of 50, majority i.e., 28 (56%) had inadequate knowledge followed by 19 (38%) had moderate knowledge and only 3 (6%) had adequate knowledge with the mean and standard deviation 14.58 and 4.978. Conclusions: It is concluded that there was difference between urban and rural women knowledge on risk factors and its preventive measures of carcinoma breast. The findings suggest that extensive health education programs need to be planned to bring awareness among urban and rural women.   Keywords: Carcinoma breast, Risk factors, Preventive measures, Structured questionnaire, Tirupati.

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