Impact of Cancer Awareness Drive on Generating Understanding and Improving Screening Practices for Breast Cancer: a Study on College Teachers in India
Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in India and most present at advanced
stage. Although early detection is the only way to reduce morbidity and mortality, people have a very low awareness
about breast cancer signs and symptoms and screening practices. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of
awareness and impact of awareness programs in adoption of safe practices in prevention and early detection. Methods:
This assessment was part of a pink chain campaign on cancer awareness. During events from 2011 to 2015 at various
women colleges in different parts in India, a pre-test of knowledge related to breast cancer was followed by an awareness
program. Post-tests using the same questionnaire were conducted at the end of the interactive sessions, at 6 months and
after1 year. Results: A total of 872 out of 985 teachers participated in the study (overall response rate of 88.5 %). Mean
age of the study population was 41.6 years (range 28-59 yrs). There was a significant increase in level of knowledge
regarding breast cancer at 6 months and this was sustained at 1 year. Adoption of breast self-examination (BSE) was
significantly more frequent in comparison to CBE and mammography. Magazines and newspapers were sources for
knowledge regarding screening tests for breast cancer for more than 60% of teachers. Regarding post-awareness at 6
months and 1 year, there was a significant change in alcohol and smoking habits. Major reasons came out to be ignorance
(83%) at the start of the campaign which was changed to lack of time (37.7%), lethargic attitude (32.2 %) and lack of
time (31.5 %) at 6 months and same at 1 year also. Conclusions: With our awareness program there was a significant
increase in level of knowledge regarding breast cancer at 6 months and this was sustained at 1 year. Adoption of BSE
was significantly greater in comparison to CBE, mammography. To inculcate safe lifestyle practices in people, awareness
programmes such as pink chain campaigns should be conducted more widely and frequently.
['Shankar|Abhishek|A|', 'Roy|Shubham|S|', 'Rath|Goura Kishor|GK|', 'Chakraborty|Abhijit|A|', 'Kamal|Vineet Kumar|VK|', 'Biswas|Aalekhya Sarma|AS|']
Breast cancer college teachers safe practices awareness campaign