Knowledge and practices on breast cancer detection and associated challenges among women aged 35 years and above in Tanzania: a case in Morogoro Rural District

Figures & data

Table 1 Demographic characteristics of the study participants (N=130)

Variable		N	%
Ward name
	Mikese	130	100
Village name
	Newland	40	30.8
	Lubungo	41	31.5
	Fulwe	49	37.7
Marital status
	Married	92	70.8
	Single	6	4.6
	Divorced	14	10.8
	Widow	18	13.8
Age group
	<40	45	34.6
	≥40	85	65.4

Table 2 Knowledge of the participants on breast cancer (N=130)

Variable		N	%
Awareness of breast cancer
	Yes	130	100
	No	0	0
Causes of breast cancer
	Putting money under brassiere	40	30.8
	Will of God	38	29.2
	Attack from the enemy	26	20
	Prolonged breastfeeding	17	13.1
	Scratching the breast	9	6.9
Risk factors of breast cancer
	Alcohol	18	13.8
	Women who do not breastfeed	10	7.7
	Fatty diet	23	17.7
	Increasing age	20	15.4
	Positive family history	16	12.3
	Early menstrual flow/late menopause	12	9.2
	Obesity	20	15.4
	Giving birth at an older age	11	8.5
Signs and symptoms (such as breast lump, increase in size of the breast and an ulcer on the breast)
	Yes	49	37.7
	No	81	62.3
Effects of breast cancer (such as breast amputation and death)
	Yes	93	71.5
	No	37	28.5

Table 3 Sources of information used by the participants to get breast cancer information (N=130)

Variable		N	%
Newspapers
	Yes	41	31.5
	No	89	68.5
Health workers
	Yes	59	45.5
	No	71	54.6
Friends (colleagues)
	Yes	74	56.9
	No	56	43.1
Public library/information centers
	Yes	0	0
	No	130	100
Clinic
	Yes	58	44.6
	No	72	55.4
Posters
	Yes	18	13.8
	No	112	86.2
TV/radio
	Yes	108	83.1
	No	22	16.9

Table 4 Breast self-examination practices used by the participants in breast cancer detection (N=130)

Variable		N	%
Breast self-examination
	Never heard of it	96	73.8
	Heard of it but do not practice it	10	7.7
	Heard of it and practice it occasionally	24	18.5
	Heard of it and practice it monthly	0	0

Table 5 Challenges faced by the participants in breast cancer screening (N=130)

Variable		N	%
Lack of knowledge
	Yes	96	73.8
	No	34	26.2
Did not think it was important
	Yes	73	56.2
	No	57	43.8
Did not perceive themselves to be at risk
	Yes	45	34.6
	No	85	65.4