Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Breast Cancer Screening among Nurses in Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Breast Cancer has been known to be the most common cancer and second principal cause of cancer death in women. However, the adherence to recommended breast cancer screening guidelines is low especially in Africa. OBJECTIVE: It may be necessary to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of breast cancer screening among nurses who are in good position to educate people. METHODS: A cross sectional study of 183 nurses was carried out in Lagos University Teaching Hospital, using a close ended questionnaire assessing information on demographic variables, awareness, knowledge and attitude towards breast cancer. RESULTS: The results revealed 100% rate of awareness of breast cancer although 32% of the respondents knew not that breast cancer could be inherited. The major source (76%) of their information about breast cancer was from health professionals. Among the respondents 96% knew self breast examination while 41% knew clinical breast examination as screening method. Eighty two percent of the respondents thought self breast examination should be carried out monthly while very few subscribed to clinical breast examination. CONCLUSION: The studied population has good knowledge of breast cancer, its symptoms and screening methods. However, they lack adequate knowledge of the risk factors and only few practiced clinical breast examination. Thus, there is need for educational intervention to enhance knowledge of the risk factors and the need for clinical breast examination.