How good is breast self-examination techniques among health clinic attenders in urban areas in Terengganu?

Norwati, Daud and Siti Norazlina, Juhari and Harmy, Mohamed Yusoff and Wan Suliana, Wan Sulong (2018) How good is breast self-examination techniques among health clinic attenders in urban areas in Terengganu? In: 21st Family Medicine Scientific Conference 2018, 01 Aug 2018, Perak.

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Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women in Malaysia. Breast self-examination (BSE) practice is still advised especially in countries where access to mammogram is limited. Aim: The aim was to assess the BSE techniques among health clinic attenders in urban areas in Terengganu. Methodology: Three health clinics were selected from the district of Kuala Terengganu and Kuala Nerus. There were 347 women aged 20 to 60 years offered to be assesed on BSE techniques using a breast dummy jacket. A validated BSE checklist was used. It has eight components. Each component has options of ‘not done’, ‘moderate’ and ‘good’ based on their technique. It was scored as ‘1’, ‘2’ and ‘3’ marks respectively. The components were; 1. Stand in front of mirror with hands at sides, 2. Observation of breast, 3. Palpation using fingers, 4. Palpation in circular/vertical movement, 5. Palpation over the nipples, 6. Squeezing the nipples, 7. Palpation of axillae and 8. Repeat on the other side. Results: The mean (SD) age of the participants was 35.70(10.21) years. About 78 percent were married. The mean (SD) score for each component were; 1.49(0.64), 1.78(0.88), 2.16(0.74), 2.20(0.76), 1.63(0.84), 1.65(0.86), 2.02(0.90) and 2.40(0.83). About 61% of them did not palpate and squeeze the nipples. About 40% did not palpate the axillae. Conclusion: The BSE tecniques among health clinic attenders are poor. Correct BSE tecniques should be taught regularly through health promotion either in the clinics or in other places.

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