The Level of Women's Knowledge About Breast Cancer, Risk Factors, and Required Exams

Abstract

Despite awareness, screening campaigns, and advances in breast imaging for early detection, breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death among women in Albania.  According to the National Registry of Cancer, about 700 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed per year. Early diagnosis of breast cancer plays a crucial role in reducing mortality and morbidity associated with it, and early detection through screening is essential and offers the best opportunity for effective management and prevention. This study aimed to assess women's knowledge about breast cancer, their screening practices, perceived barriers, and access to healthcare services in the Elbasan district. Methodology. It is a simple cross-sectional study. The study included women from the Elbasan district. The study was conducted between December 2024 and February 2025. Proportional stratified random sampling was employed to determine the study sample size from each area. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 21.Results. Overall, 14.3% of respondents reported experiencing breast-related issues. The mean knowledge score was 5 out of 6, with an overall correct response rate of 86.4%. However, only 57.3% identified heredity as a risk factor for breast cancer. Women from urban areas and those with a family history of breast cancer demonstrated significantly higher knowledge scores (p<0.001). The family history of breast cancer (mother, aunt, sister/cousin, grandmother) was reported by 14.3% of participants. Notably, 67.8% of women had never visited a healthcare center for breast-related concerns. Regarding breast imaging, 31.6% of participants had undergone three or more imaging examinations, while 68.3% (n=272) had never undergone any radiological screening.Conclusion. The study revealed satisfactory levels of knowledge about breast cancer but low practices of breast visits and imaging examinations. There is a need to implement intervention programs, especially in rural areas, to increase awareness of periodic visits and examinations for breast cancer screening.

Keywords: knowledge, breast cancer, examination, risk factors, women.

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/15-3-04

Publication date:August 31^st 2025