Sonographic Assessment Of The Efficiency Of Breast Self Examination.

Abstract

Background: Globally, several campaigns are ongoing towards sensitizing women on screening methods for breast cancer. One of these screening methods is breast self-examination (BSE) which is geared towards the early detection of breast lumps. However, many women are incompetent in the practice of BSE and a constant reminder of this shortcoming may produce a loss of self-belief and interest in the practice. During the period of consistent incompetent BSE practice, a malignant breast lump may develop and only be discovered after it had spread to other organs. The aim of this
study is to assess the efficiency of the practice of BSE among women in Calabar, Cross River State.

Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study that was done over a period of 7 months in the Radiology Department of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross River. The subjects who participated in this study were 110 in number, aged between 18 to 61 years who practiced BSE, correctly explained the stages involved in performing BSE and felt lumps in their breasts. A breast sonographic examination was done on all the subjects to characterized and categorized breast lumps. The data obtained was analyzed using SPSS 23 and Pearson correlation, Chi-square test and T-Test were done. Ethical approval was obtained for this study.

Result: The efficiency of BSE amongst women in this study was 34.55%. The difference between the women that correctly practiced BSE and those who incorrectly practiced BSE was significant (P=0.000). A greater number of the women who correctly practiced BSE were below 38 years of age (65.79%).

Conclusion: The efficiency of women who practice breast self-examination is extremely low in Calabar. However, women aged between 18 and 37 years are efficient at the practice of breast self-examination due to their active participation and interest in social media activities and social events where breast health awareness programs are conducted.