Context: Breast cancer is a high-mortality disease. Early detection has considerably reduced mortality in developed countries. Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Congolese women in Kinshasa on breast cancer, their levels and to identify factors associated with insufficient knowledge, negative attitudes and non-beneficial practices. Material and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with analytical aims, carried out from June 1 to September 30, 2023, in Kinshasa. It involved 1170 female respondents, aged 18 to 65, who agreed to take part in the survey. Data were collected using a pre-established questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 20.0. The study variables were socio-demographics, morbid history, knowledge, attitudes and practices of respondents regarding breast cancer. Statistical measures and tests used were Mean ± standard deviation, median, proportions, logistic regression Backward stepwise and p < 0.05. Results: 60% had insufficient knowledge, 75% had negative attitudes and 80% had non-beneficial practices. The risk factors common to insufficient knowledge, negative attitudes and non-beneficial practices towards breast cancer were low level of education, membership of revivalist or Muslim churches, and primiparity. Conclusion: 60% of Congolese women in Kinshasa have insufficient knowledge about breast cancer, 75% have negative attitudes and 80% have non-beneficial practices, with a positive association between insufficient knowledge and negative attitudes on the one hand, and insufficient knowledge and non-beneficial practices on the other. In this context, increasing the population’s literacy and access to information are essential.
References
[1]
Bombonati, A.D.C. (2011) The Molecular Pathology of Breast Cancer Progression. Pathology, 223, 307-317.
[2]
Parkin, D.M., Pisani, P. and Ferlay, J. (1993) Estimates of the Worldwide Incidence of Eighteen Major Cancers in 1985. International Journal of Cancer, 54, 594-606. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.2910540413
[3]
Ferlay, J., Soerjomataram, I., Dikshit, R., (2013) Cancer Incidence and Mortality in the World.
[4]
Gupta, P., Rai, N.N., Agarwal, L. and Namdev, S. (2018) Comparison of Molecular Subtypes of Carcinoma of the Breast in Two Different Age Groups: A Single Institution Experience. Cureus, 10, e2834. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.2834
[5]
Törnberg, S., Carstensen, J., Hakulinen, T., et al. (1994) Evaluation of the Effect of Population-Based Mammography Screening Programs on Breast Cancer Mortality. Journal of Medical Screening, 1, 184-187.
[6]
Adeloye, D., Sowunmi, O.Y., Jacobs, W., David, R.A., Adeosun, A.A., Amuta, A.O., et al. (2018) Estimating the Incidence of Breast Cancer in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Global Health, 8, Article ID: 010419. https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.08.010419
[7]
Hortobagyi, G.N., Ames, F.C., Buzdar, A.U., Kau, S.W., McNeese, M.D., Paulus, D., et al. (1988) Management of Stage III Primary Breast Cancer with Primary Chemotherapy, Surgery, and Radiation Therapy. Cancer, 62, 2507-2516. https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-0142(19881215)62:12<2507::aid-cncr2820621210>3.0.co;2-d
[8]
Aka Kacou, E., Akani Bangaman, C., Zoua Kakou, A.C. et al. (2022) Analysis of the Direct Economic Cost of Breast Cancer in Côte D’Ivoire in 2022. African Journal of Social Sciences and Public Health, 5, 8.
[9]
Sung, H., Ferlay, J., Siegel, R.L., Laversanne, M., Soerjomataram, I., Jemal, A., et al. (2021) Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 71, 209-249. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21660
[10]
World Health Organization (2021) New Global Initiative on Breast Cancer Highlights Renewed Commitment to Improve Survival. https://www.who.int/news/item/08-03-2021-new-global-breast-cancer-initiative-highlights-renewed-commitment-to-improve-survival
[11]
(2017) Practice Bulletin Number 179: Breast Cancer Risk Assessment and Screening in Average-Risk Women. Obstetrics & Gynecolog, 130, e1-e16.
[12]
World Health Organization (2017) WHO Guide to the Early Diagnosis of Cancer. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/guide-to-cancer-early-diagnosis
[13]
Mbala, K., Tozin, R., Mbala, L., et al. (2019) Epidemio-Clinical and Molecular Profile of Breast Cancer in Kinshasa-D.R. City Hospitals, Congo. KisanganiMédical, 9, 2-6.
[14]
Espina, C., McKenzie, F. and dos-Santos-Silva, I. (2017) Delayed Presentation and Diagnosis of Breast Cancer in African Women: A Systematic Review. AnnalsofEpidemiology, 27, 659-671.e7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2017.09.007
[15]
(2015) National Strategy for the Fight Against Cervical and Breast Cancers in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
[16]
Brun, L.V.C., Béhanzin, L., Togbenon, N.D.L., Pognon, M.A.O.B., Houéhanou-Sonou, Y.C.N., Atadé, S.R., et al. (2023) Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice Regarding Breast Cancer among Parakou University Female Students in 2021. OpenJournalofPathology, 13, 28-39. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojpathology.2023.131003
[17]
Mena, M., Wiafe‐Addai, B., Sauvaget, C., Ali, I.A., Wiafe, S.A., Dabis, F., et al. (2013) Evaluation of the Impact of a Breast Cancer Awareness Program in Rural Ghana: A Cross‐sectional Survey. InternationalJournalofCancer, 134, 913-924. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.28412
[18]
Asmare, K., Birhanu, Y. and Wako, Z. (2022) Knowledge, Attitude, Practice Towards Breast Self-Examination and Associated Factors among Women in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021: A Community-Based Study. BMC Women’s Health, 22, Article No. 174. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-022-01764-4
[19]
Legesse, B. and Gedif, T. (2014) Knowledge on Breast Cancer and Its Prevention among Women Household Heads in Northern Ethiopia. OpenJournalofPreventiveMedicine, 4, 32-40. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojpm.2014.41006
[20]
Mamdouh, H., El-Mansy, H., Kharboush, I., Ismail, H., Tawfik, M., El-Baky, M., et al. (2014) Barriers to Breast Cancer Screening among a Sample of Egyptian Females. JournalofFamilyandCommunityMedicine, 21, 119-124. https://doi.org/10.4103/2230-8229.134771
[21]
Mahfouz, E., Amany, E., Hassan, A., et al. (2017) Awareness about Breast Cancer and Its Screening among Rural Egyptian Women, Minia District: A Population-Based Study. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 18, 1623-1628. https://doi.org/10.22034/APJCP.2017.18.6.1623
[22]
Maree, J., Wright, S. and Lu, X. (2013) Breast Cancer Risks and Screening Practices among Women Living in a Resource Poor Community in Tshwane, South Africa. TheBreastJournal, 19, 453-454. https://doi.org/10.1111/tbj.12143
[23]
El Asmar, M., Bechnak, A., Fares, J., et al. (2018) Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Breast Cancer among Lebanese Women in Beirut. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 19, 625-631. https://doi.org/10.22034/APJCP.2018.19.3.625
[24]
Tieng’o, J., Pengpid, S., Skaal, L. and Peltzer, K. (2011) Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Breast Cancer Examination among Women Attending a Health Facility in Gaborone, Botswana. GenderandBehaviour, 9, 3513-3527. https://doi.org/10.4314/gab.v9i1.67455
[25]
Bouslah, S., Soltani, M.S., Ben Salah, A. and Sriha, A. (2014) Connaissances, attitudes et pratiques des femmes tunisiennes en matière de dépistage du cancer du sein et de celui du col de l’utérus. Psycho-Oncologie, 8, 123-132. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11839-014-0460-8
[26]
Hounkponou, N.F.M., Vodouhe, M., Klipkezo, R., Ahouingnan, Y., Agani, N., Mensah, C.E., et al. (2023) Factors Associated with Knowledge, Attitude, Practice of Women of Childbearing Age towards Gynecological and Breast Cancer in Glazoué, Benin in 2021. OpenJournalofObstetricsandGynecology, 13, 325-341. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojog.2023.132033
[27]
Sayed, S., Ngugi, A.K., Mahoney, M.R., Kurji, J., Talib, Z.M., Macfarlane, S.B., et al. (2019) Breast Cancer Knowledge, Perceptions and Practices in a Rural Community in Coastal Kenya. BMCPublicHealth, 19, Article No. 180. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6464-3
[28]
Alsaif, A.A. (2010) Breast Self-Examination among Saudi Female Nursing Students in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Medical Journal, 25, 1574-1578.
[29]
Kratzke, C., Vilchis, H. and Amatya, A. (2013) Breast Cancer Prevention Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors among College Women and Mother-Daughter Communication. JournalofCommunityHealth, 38, 560-568. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-013-9651-7
[30]
Solikhah, S., Lianawati, L., Matahari, R., et al. (2019) Determinants of Awareness and Participation in Cancer Screening among Indonesian Women. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 20, 877-884.
[31]
Falah Asadi, A., Shahsavari, S., Khosravizadeh, O. and Nourmohammadi, M. (2018) The Relationship between Knowledge, Attitude, and Performance in Breast Cancer with Nutritional Behaviors and Drug Use. AsianPacificJournalofEnvironmentandCancer, 1, 27-33. https://doi.org/10.31557/apjec.2018.1.1.27-33
[32]
Agbokey, F., Kudzawu, E., Dzodzomenyo, M., Ae-Ngibise, K.A., Owusu-Agyei, S. and Asante, K.P. (2019) Knowledge and Health Seeking Behaviour of Breast Cancer Patients in Ghana. InternationalJournalofBreastCancer, 2019, Article ID: 5239840. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/5239840