Conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre autoexamen para detección temprana de cáncer de mama en estudiantes mujeres de octavo, noveno y décimo ciclo de la carrera de medicina de la Universidad de Cuenca, durante el período académico marzo-agosto 2023

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer represents the most common malign neoplasm in the country and the world; it is the first cause of death in women, and a major public health problem, finding the Breast Self-Examination (BSE) as a preventive strategy that should be known by women, especially by those related to the health area, who are responsible for its dissemination. Objective: To determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices on the BSE (AEM) for the early detection of breast cancer in female medicine students of the eighth, ninth, and tenth cycles of the Universidad de Cuenca, 2023. Methods: A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in 124 female students of the mentioned courses; a form done by Bermeo y Chin and modified by the authors was used for obtaining information. The SPSS 20 was used to tabulate data and to make frequency and percentage charts. Results: 68,43% of the students had proper global knowledge about the BSE, where 90-95% of the respondents identified definition and target group. 75% knew its usefulness, especially in health promotion; however, 10% did not know the instructions, a third of them had deficiencies in the technique and barely more than half could recognize the periodicity. We found a positive attitude towards the BSE in most of the students, considering it relevant and necessary. 72% reported having it performed in the right way. Conclusions: Most of the respondents have adequate knowledge, attitudes and practices towards the BSE; nevertheless, it is necessary to reinforce aspects such as technique, indications, and periodicity.