Pregnant Women on Early Diagnosis Methods of Breast Cancer and Risk Factors

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the knowledge and behaviors of pregnant women about early diagnosis methods of breast cancer. Methods: The study has a descriptive, cross-sectional design. Data collection was performed by using a questionnaire created by the researcher in light of the literature. Data were collected in a state hospital between October and December in 2018. The study population included all pregnant women presenting to the study hospital and experiencing their second and third trimesters at the time of data collection. The study sample involved 194 pregnant women accepting to participate in the study. Results: Age at the first pregnancy was 30 years or older in 4.5% of the women, 13.6% of the women was nulliparous and 8.8% of the women had a familial history of breast cancer. Thirty-two-point five percent of the women heard about breast self-examination and 61.3% of the women performed breast self-examination before their pregnancy. During their pregnancies, 74.7% of the women did not perform breast self- examination and 95.9% of the women did not have clinical breast examinations. Conclusion: Evaluation of risk factors and performing clinical breast examination and ultrasound in the first prenatal follow-up visit will help to make early diagnosis of breast cancer. Pregnant women should be informed about breast self-examination to raise their awareness about pregnancy-associated breast cancer.