Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Breast Self Examination among Women in Rivers State, Nigeria

Background: Screening for early detection of diseases is an important public health principle. Breast selfexamination is one of the vital screening techniques for early detection of breast disease and breast cancer, which is the commonest cancer in women. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2008 in three Local Government Areas of Rivers State, Nigeria, using a structured questionnaire. Results: The age range of respondents was 21-85 years. Two hundred and eleven (16.06%) have heard of breast self-examination, of which 200(28.94%) practice It. Knowledge and awareness of BSE is affected by education as 3 (0.43%) of respondents with primary education, 146(21.13%) secondary education and 125(18.09%) with tertiary education have heard of breast self-examination. None of the respondents without formal education have heard or practice breast self-examination. Conclusion: In developing countries owing to resource crunch and diagnostic facilities being too costly, breast selfexamination is an effective and economic preventive mode. Hence, early detection and screening by self-examination should be promoted. Key Words: Breast, Cancer, Examination, Developing Countries