Knowledge Of Breast Self Examination (BSE) Among Child Bearing Women

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.0 Introduction
This chapter includes; the major findings of the study and the suggested solutions to the problems found in the study

5.1 Summary
The study assessed the knowledge of breast self examination (BSE) among child bearing women in our lady of Lourdes Hospital Ihiala, Anambra state with an aim of preventing breast cancer among women. The study was carried out using a descriptive cross sectional design where 143 respondents were used. These were selected by simple random sampling. Data was collected through self administered interviews and data was analysed by Microsoft excel and Chi-Square Tests. Majority 81 (56.3%) of the respondents were between 18 and 30 years, 84 (58.7%) were married, 65 (45.7%) had secondary education, 50 (34.8%) were housewives, 118 (82.4%) were Christians and 131 (91.4%) had never had family members who suffered from breast cancer. Respondents had good knowledge about breast self examination because; all of them had ever heard of it where 77 (54.2%) heard from the media. Many rightly knew the signs of breast cancer 106 (73.8%). 112 (78.4%) knew that breast cancer could be detected early enough through physical identification of the signs and symptoms. 110 (77.2%) knew the right age BSE should be carried (above 19 years) and 123(85.8%) knew that it could be done by palpating with the palm and a minimum of three fingers. However, they did not know that it was only for females 82 (57%) and did not know it should be carried out weekly. Respondents’ practices towards breast self-examination were generally poor. In the first instance few had ever performed BSE. The few; 55 (38.3%) who had ever done it, never did it regularly where 32 (58.6%) of them examined their breasts monthly, 31 (38.9%) had last examined their breasts six months ago and mainly did it in the evening 24 (46.2%). Despite having good knowledge about BSE, they had negative attitude towards it where they did not believe that could detect breast cancer themselves which deterred their will to perform BSE. The researcher therefore suggests enhancing health education and sensitization to all females about the prevalence of breast cancer and the importance of BSE. Extensive health education campaigns should be provided to the community. Nurses should play role in developing a collaborative care model to provide education to the public.

5.2 Conclusion
Majority of the respondents were between 18 and 30 years, married, had secondary education, were housewives, were Christians, had never had family members who suffered from breast cancer.
All the respondents had ever heard of breast self examination where they got the information from the media. Breast cancer was not common in the area. There was good awareness of the signs of breast cancer where; dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin were the commonest known signs. They knew that breast cancer could be detected early enough through physical identification of the signs and symptoms were aware that carrying out BSE would improve one’s chances of surviving cancer since cancer would be detected early. They knew that BSE should be carried out by people above 19 years when palpating with the palm and a minimum of three fingers.
There was negative attitudes towards breast self-examination because they perceived BSE as a sex abuse action and obscene, could never know whether they had breast cancer through BSE and didn’t believe that BSE helps in prevention of breast carcinoma. However, some believed that BSE can easily be done, couldn’t get breast cancer which makes BSE unnecessary, causes no physical harm and BSE may not necessarily lead to a positive cancer test.
Respondents’ practices towards breast self-examination were generally poor. In the first instance few had ever performed BSE. The few, who had ever done it, never did it regularly and by the time of the study they had taken long without examining them. They never did it at a right time as majority did it in the evening. However, they did not examine their breasts regularly and had taken long and never did not at a right time despite examining their breasts infront of a mirror.

5.2 Recommendations

5.2.1 Findings on the knowledge on breast self examination
* Breast cancer being uncommon in the area does mean its non existence. Therefore the government should enhance health education and sensitization about self examination its occurrence so that more people are made aware of it with not costs incurred.
* The health care providers should thoroughly educate females on how to perform breast self examination. This would help them to achieve reliable results when they perform it.
* The public should know that breast self examination is only for females with breasts and should self breast examination is for everyone even if healthy at the moment.
* Breast self examination should at least be done weekly or anytime one may feel or notice any unusual chance on the breasts.

5.2.2 Findings on the attitudes towards breast self-examination
* Women should refrain from the belief that breast self examination is obscene. It is part of a medical process that if done by an individual herself in privacy would not lead to embarrassment.
* Women and community member should know that if breast self examination is done through the right procedures, can help one to know whether they have breast cancer.
* All community members should seek the right knowledge about breast self examination. This would help them to know when they should start the practice, the right time when it should be done, places where to do it from and how to do it.
* All females should know that, breast self examination does not necessarily lead to a positive cancer test. It just helps one to identify any abnormalities that could be lead to cancer.
* Proper breast self examination is not harmful to the individual

5.2.3 Practices towards breast self-examination
* All women should carry out breast self examination most especially when they feel any unusual occurrence among them breasts.
* All females should regularly self examine their breasts even if they feel healthy. This should be done at least once every week.
* Breast self examination should be done in the morning when one is lying on the bed.
* They should also self examine their breasts infront of a mirror so that they view all its parts.