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AGE AND EDUCATION OF WOMEN AS A CRITICAL FACTOR IN THE APPROACH TO PREVENTION OF BREAST CANCER

Ivana Lamkova, Jana Chraskova

Abstract

Objective: To contribute to widen the knowledge of the influence of determinants (age, education) on the women’s approach and attitude towards breast cancer prevention and simultaneously to map the knowledge and awareness of women about breast cancer prevention. Method: The research was conducted during the period of September 2012 - February 2013 in the Usti nad Labem region. The random selection of 282 respondents was stratified by gender (female) and age (20-65 years). Respondents were divided into the number of research groups; women with lower and higher education and women with lower risk (20-44 years) and higher risk (45-65 years) of breast cancer. The comparative groups were created whose data were compared in each category. The structured questionnaire was used to collect data which helped to evaluate the influence of identified determinants (age, education) on attitudes, and knowledge of the respondents on the issue of breast cancer. Results: We have assumed that women with lower education have less knowledge about breast self-examination. This hypothesis was not confirmed (chi- quadrate test: Chi = 2.264, p-value <0,05). We were unable to prove any difference in knowledge based on the level of education. Another assumption that women with lower education self-examine their breasts less frequently was confirmed (chi- quadrate test: Chi = 58.517, p-value <0,05). Assumption that women with a lower risk of breast cancer have less knowledge about breast self-examination was not confirmed (chi- quadrate test: Chi = 3.180, p-value <0,05). The hypothesis that women with a lower risk of breast cancer self-examine their breasts less frequently or nota t all was confirmed (chi-square test: Chi = 22.159, p-value <0,05). Conclusion: It has been statistically proven that neither age nor education has any effect on knowledge about breast self-examination, however these factors affect the practical implementation and regularity of self-examination.

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