Female Workers’ General Knowledge Regarding Breast Cancer: an Educational Program

Research Abstract

Background: Breast tissue density is higher in younger women with lower body mass indexes, especially during pregnancy, nursing, or hormone therapy. Increased obesity raises breast cancer risk, linked to more aggressive tumor characteristics. Physical exercise can reduce this risk, particularly for women with a family history of the disease, by lowering exposure to endogenous sex hormones and modifying immune responses, even in those without such a history. Aim: Evaluate the effect of an educational program on female workers’ general knowledge regarding breast cancer. Subjects and Methods: Design: A quasi-experimental design was utilized in conducting the study. Sample & Settings: A purposeful sample of 323 working women from Beni-Suef University aged 18-60 years. Tools: A structured interviewing questionnaire sheet, women's general knowledge about breast cancer, and supportive material (Arabic booklet). Results: 45.8% have a university education, 75.9% are married, and 69.0% are urban residents. A statistically significant improvement in female workers’ knowledge regarding total general information about breast cancer during the posttest as p≤0.05 was found. The 1.5% of females who had university education had good knowledge before the program, which increased to 30.4% after the program. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that there was a statistically significant improvement in female workers’ knowledge regarding general information about breast cancer during the posttest, as noticed in the present effect of the program. Recommendations: During significant events like Breast Cancer Awareness Month, workplace awareness programs are expanded to promote breast cancer prevention.

Research Keywords

General Knowledge, Breast Cancer, Educational Program