Nsaful Josephine, Dedey Florence, Brownson Kirstyn E, Laryea Ruth Y, Coleman Nathaniel, Tetteh John, Sheriff Mohammed Albezel, Clegg-Lamptey Joe-Nat, Calys-Tagoe Benedict N L
Department of Surgery, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle Bu, PO Box 4236, Accra, Ghana.
Department of Surgery, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, PO Box 77, Accra, Ghana.
Ecancermedicalscience. 2024 Dec 4;18:1808. doi: 10.3332/ecancer.2024.1808. eCollection 2024.
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer in females worldwide. Western Africa has one of the highest mortality rates globally partly due to late presentation, often attributed to deficits in patient knowledge about the disease. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital among breast cancer patients. A structured questionnaire was utilised to collect data on patient demographics; sources of information on breast cancer; risk factors; symptoms; and treatment options. A chi-square test assessed the relationship between the participants' levels of knowledge and demographic characteristics. Univariate and multivariate analyses determined which sociodemographic factors predicted knowledge. p values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. This study enrolled 636 participants with a mean age of 52.6 ± 12.1 years. Television (TV) (63.4%) and radio (44.6%) were the main sources of information about breast cancer. Thirty-two percent of participants knew that family history was an associated risk factor for developing breast cancer. Eighty-three percent of the patients were familiar with self-breast examination, but only 42% of them practiced it. While 76% of participants knew that a breast mass could represent breast cancer, only 13%, 12% and 6% of participants identified nipple discharge, breast skin changes and changes in breast size as concerning symptoms of breast cancer, respectively. Only 7% of patients were aware of breast conservation as a treatment option. A higher educational level and higher monthly income were identified as predictors of a better level of knowledge, while age older than 60 years and advanced-stage disease correlated with decreased knowledge about breast cancer. Breast cancer awareness campaigns in Ghana should be expanded to include all Ghanaians, specifically women of lower socioeconomic status and older than 60 years. Educational messages should emphasise symptoms other than breast masses and the feasibility of breast-conserving surgery as a treatment option for early-stage disease.
乳腺癌是全球女性癌症的主要病因。西非是全球死亡率最高的地区之一，部分原因是就诊时间晚，这通常归因于患者对该疾病的认知不足。在科尔勒布教学医院对乳腺癌患者进行了一项横断面研究。使用结构化问卷收集患者人口统计学数据、乳腺癌信息来源、风险因素、症状和治疗选择等方面的数据。采用卡方检验评估参与者的知识水平与人口统计学特征之间的关系。单因素和多因素分析确定了哪些社会人口学因素可预测知识水平。p值<0.05被认为具有统计学意义。本研究纳入了636名参与者，平均年龄为52.6±12.1岁。电视（63.4%）和广播（44.6%）是乳腺癌信息的主要来源。32%的参与者知道家族病史是患乳腺癌的相关风险因素。83%的患者熟悉自我乳房检查，但只有42%的人进行过自我乳房检查。虽然76%的参与者知道乳房肿块可能代表乳腺癌，但只有13%、12%和6%的参与者分别将乳头溢液、乳房皮肤变化和乳房大小改变视为乳腺癌的相关症状。只有7%的患者知道保乳是一种治疗选择。较高的教育水平和较高的月收入被确定为知识水平较高的预测因素，而60岁以上的年龄和晚期疾病与乳腺癌知识减少相关。加纳的乳腺癌宣传活动应扩大到所有加纳人，特别是社会经济地位较低且年龄超过60岁的女性。教育信息应强调乳房肿块以外的症状以及保乳手术作为早期疾病治疗选择的可行性。
