Authors : S. Subhavelvizhi; T.K. Sreedevi; Elsha S; Elgiya Eldhose; Elizabath Manoj; G. Priyanka; G. Prema

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 5 - May

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/5dvetfju

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25may2244

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Breast cancer is a significant public health concern among women globally, with late detection in rural areas often leading to poorer outcomes. This study aimed to assess the impact of a nurse-led educational intervention on knowledge and practices of breast cancer and Breast Self-Examination (BSE) among women in rural Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh. A pre- experimental, one-group pre-test post-test design was utilized with 200 women selected via convenient sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire before and after a nurse-led teaching program. Results indicated a significant improvement in both knowledge and practice scores post-intervention. The mean pre-test knowledge score of 25.1±12.43 increased to 40.09±19.8 (t=2.02, p=0.023), and the mean pre-test practice score of 5.71±3.365 rose to 13.16±2.274 (t=26.696, p=0.000) post-intervention. The nurse-led intervention was effective in enhancing breast cancer awareness and BSE practices among rural women, highlighting the potential of such programs to improve early detection rates.

Keywords : Breast Cancer; Breast Self-Examination; Nurse-Led Intervention; Health Education; Rural Women; Knowledge; Practice

References :

1.  Smith, J., & Johnson, M. (2019). The global impact of breast cancer: Prevalence and public health concerns. Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics, 45(3), 234-245.
2. World Health Organization. (2023). Breast Cancer. [Online]. Available: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer
3. Masawa G, Mboineki JF et al. (2024). Assessing breast self-examination knowledge, attitude and practice as a secondary prevention of breast cancer among female undergraduates at the University of Dodoma: a protocol of analytical cross-sectional study. Front Epidemiol, 4, 1227856.
4. Dhillon, P. K., et al. (2018). The burden of cancers and their variations across the states of India: the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990–2016. The Lancet Oncology, 19(10), 1289-1306.
5. American Cancer Society. (2023). Breast Cancer Early Detection and Diagnosis. [Online]. Available: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection.html
6. Bray, F., Ferlay, J., Soerjomataram, I., Siegel, R. L., Torre, L. A., & Jemal, A. (2018). Global cancer statistics 2018: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 68(6), 394-424.
7. Muntode, P., et al. (2024). A study on awareness of breast cancer and breast self-examination practices among women above 35 years of age in rural areas of Wardha District, Maharashtra: a protocol. F1000Research, 13, 145.
8. Naglaa Mohammed, Abd-Elaziz et al. (2021). Effect Of Breast Self Examination Programme On Women's Awareness For Early Detection Of Breast Cancer. Mansoura Nursing Journal, 8(2), 1-12.
9. Mithila Koreti. (2024). A study on awareness of breast cancer and breast self-examination practices among women above 35 years of age in rural areas of Wardha District, Maharashtra: a protocol. F1000Research, 13(145).