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Abstract

ABSTRACT
Background. Despite the population's awareness of breast self-examination, the morbidity and mortality of breast cancer remain high. This study aims to assess the populations’ knowledge and practices on breast self-examination in two hospitals in Yaounde, Cameroon. Methods. We conducted descriptive cross-sectional (quanlitative and qualitative) study from January to December 2019 at the Anathomo-Pathology Laboratory of Yaounde University Teaching Hospital and the Dominican Hospital Saint Martin de Pores in Yaounde. All consenting participant attending these laboratries were subjected to a pre-tested questionnaire to collect socio-demographic data and their knowledge on early detection of breast self-examination. These data were then analysed using Excel software and the results presented as proportions. Results. We enrolled 28 participants, their ages ranged from 19 to 62 years. Nineteen (67.86%) women were aware of the need to palpate their breasts to detect cancer, 12 (42.86%) practiced regularly among which 8 (28.57%) knew the procedure. Forteen (50%) had discovered a lump in their breast during routine palpation. At the time of discovery, 8 lumps (28.57%) were less than 2 centimeters of diameter. Twenty-two (78.57%) women consulted after one months of the lump discovery and the reason for the late consultation was the absence of pain. Conclusion. The causes of late diagnosis of breast cancer may be related to the poor knowledge of patients of the practice and importance of breast self-examination in the early diagnosis of breast cancer. Awareness of the importance and practice of breast self-examination is essential to improve breast cancer prognosis in Cameroon.
RÉSUMÉ
Contexte. Malgré la sensibilisation de la population à l'auto-examen des seins, la morbidité et la mortalité liées au cancer du sein restent élevées. Cette étude visait à évaluer les connaissances et les pratiques des populations en matière d'auto-examen des seins dans deux hôpitaux de Yaoundé, au Cameroun. Méthodes. Nous avons mené une étude transversale descriptive (quantitative et qualitative) de janvier à décembre 2019 au Laboratoire d'anatomo-pathologie de l'Hôpital Universitaire de Yaoundé et à l'Hôpital Dominicain Saint Martin de Porrès à Yaoundé. Toutes les participantes consentantes fréquentant ces laboratoires ont été soumises à un questionnaire pré-testé pour recueillir des données sociodémographiques et leurs connaissances sur le dépistage précoce par l'auto-examen des seins. Ces données ont ensuite été analysées à l'aide du logiciel Excel et les résultats présentés sous forme de proportions. Résultats. Nous avons recruté 28 participantes, âgées de 19 à 62 ans. Dix-neuf femmes (67,86 %) étaient conscientes de la nécessité de se palper les seins pour détecter un cancer, 12 (42,86 %) pratiquaient l'auto-examen régulièrement, dont 8 (28,57 %) connaissaient la procédure. Quatorze (50 %) avaient découvert une grosseur dans leur sein lors d'une palpation systématique. Au moment de la découverte, 8 grosseurs (28,57 %) avaient un diamètre inférieur à 2 centimètres. Vingt-deux femmes (78,57 %) ont consulté après un mois de la découverte de la masse et la raison de cette consultation tardive était l'absence de douleur. Conclusion. Les causes du diagnostic tardif du cancer du sein pourraient être liées à une mauvaise connaissance de la pratique et de l'importance de l'auto-examen des seins pour un diagnostic précoce. La sensibilisation à l'importance et à la pratique de l'auto-examen des seins est essentielle pour améliorer le pronostic du cancer du sein au Cameroun.

Keywords

Breast cancer Self-examination Knowledge Practice Cameroon Cancer du sein Auto-examen Connaissances Pratiques Cameroun

Article Details

How to Cite
Teziwo Ingrid, Fouelifack Ymele Florent, Beyala Bita’a Landry, Buh Nkum Collins, Nganwa Grace, Etienne Guenou, Ateudjieu Jérome, Ketina Hirma Tchio-Nighie, Nsangou Ahmed Moustapha, Neossi Nguena Mathurin, & Nangue Charlette. (2024). Early Detection of Breast Cancer by Self-Examination in Cameroon: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Among Women With a Breast Lesion: Dépistage Précoce du Cancer du Sein par Auto-Examen au Cameroun : Connaissances, Attitudes et Pratiques des Femmes Avec une Lésion Mammaire. HEALTH SCIENCES AND DISEASE, 25(7). https://doi.org/10.5281/hsd.v25i7.5881

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