March 7, 2024 | Muhammad Abdul Rehman, Erfa Tahir, Huzaifa Ghulam Hussain, Ayesha Khalid, Syed Mohammad Taqi, Eilaf Ahmed Meenai
A systematic review and meta-analysis of breast cancer (BCa) awareness among Pakistani women revealed alarmingly low levels of knowledge about BCa risk factors, symptoms, diagnostic methods, and treatments. Out of 9766 women across 18 studies, only 42.7% knew about risk factors, 41.8% about symptoms, 36.3% about diagnostic methods, and 46.6% about treatments. Breast self-examination (BSE) was practiced by 28.7% of women, and clinical breast exams (CBE) by 15.3%. Knowledge was significantly associated with higher education, age, and socioeconomic status. Only 38% of women knew mammography as a diagnostic tool, and less than 25% of women over 40 had undergone a mammogram. Awareness of BCa was low, with only two in five women aware of at least one risk factor, symptom, or diagnostic method. Less than two in five women understood mammography as a diagnostic tool, and less than two in five practiced regular BSE. The study highlights the urgent need for nationwide awareness campaigns to address the high BCa mortality rate in Pakistan. The findings underscore the importance of improving BCa awareness through education and screening programs to reduce mortality and improve early detection.A systematic review and meta-analysis of breast cancer (BCa) awareness among Pakistani women revealed alarmingly low levels of knowledge about BCa risk factors, symptoms, diagnostic methods, and treatments. Out of 9766 women across 18 studies, only 42.7% knew about risk factors, 41.8% about symptoms, 36.3% about diagnostic methods, and 46.6% about treatments. Breast self-examination (BSE) was practiced by 28.7% of women, and clinical breast exams (CBE) by 15.3%. Knowledge was significantly associated with higher education, age, and socioeconomic status. Only 38% of women knew mammography as a diagnostic tool, and less than 25% of women over 40 had undergone a mammogram. Awareness of BCa was low, with only two in five women aware of at least one risk factor, symptom, or diagnostic method. Less than two in five women understood mammography as a diagnostic tool, and less than two in five practiced regular BSE. The study highlights the urgent need for nationwide awareness campaigns to address the high BCa mortality rate in Pakistan. The findings underscore the importance of improving BCa awareness through education and screening programs to reduce mortality and improve early detection.