A STUDY ON THE AWARENESS OF BREAST CANCER AMONG WORKING WOMEN OF VARANASI

Dishi Mehrotra
MAMC II Semester

INTRODUCTION

Breast cancer is a tumor that starts from cells of the breast tissues, either in cells that lines the ducts that carry milk to the nipples ( ductal cancer) and/ or in the cells that line the lobules, which are glands involved in milk production. Breast cancer comprises 22.9% of invasive cancers in women and 16% of all female cancers.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

90,659

deaths in India (2010) Most common cancer for women in cities. (source: Public health foundation of India)
As experts agree that more awareness is needed among women, especially among those in the 30-50 age groups.

AIM
The main aim of the study is to evaluate the level of awareness regarding Breast Cancer among working women of Varanasi.

OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the study were to: Find out the general perception about Breast Cancer Find out the misconceptions regarding breast cancer and

Determine the knowledge of campaigns and awareness programmes.

METHODOLOGY
Design

The design of the study is Survey design.

VARIABLES AND MEASURES

A) Perception about Breast Cancer Awareness Symptoms Know treatments B) Misconceptions regarding breast cancer Incurable Fatal Genetic C) Awareness programmes Pink ribbon campaign Breast Cancer awareness month

SAMPLE AND SAMPLING

UNIVERSE The target group for survey were the working women of Varanasi region.

SAMPLE

The samples were taken on the basis of Purposive sampling method to examine the awareness level of breast cancer among working women. 15 women employees working at Kuber Complex(Central), Central Office (BHU) (South), Banks (East), LIC Office and RH Tower (North), and Akashvani( West) were selected making it a total of 90 samples as a sub-set of universe. Comprising Managers, teachers, service women, bank employee, receptionist, RJ, etc.

CONT
SAMPLING Purposive sampling method was followed. 15 working women were selected randomly from different areas that are North, South, East ,West and central areas of Varanasi region. INSTRUMENT A questionnaire containing 4 Sections A, B, C and D and 15 questions and 3 corollary questions was used to gather primary responses of working women on different issues related to Breast Cancer.

FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS

It was found that between the age group of 21-35 women were aware of breast cancer via different sources of communication i.e. magazine, newspaper, television, radio, and internet.

It was found that between the age group of 35-55 women were aware of breast cancer via sources of communication as well as family, relatives, and neighbors cases and sufferings of Breast cancer.
The fact that revealed from the study was that the only known symptom of breast cancer among working women was formation of lump in the breast. Out of 90 only 12 women were aware about pink ribbon campaign for the awareness of breast cancer, that too those who were highly educated like MBA, and above PG.

Sources of information (communication sources, family cases)

General perception about Breast Cancer

CONCLUSION
The study reveals that there is general perception of lump or tumor regarding breast cancer among working women of Varanasi.

They lack in information about the self-detection process.

Misconceptions prevails regarding causes of breast cancer whether breast feeding, drinking, smoking are responsible for breast cancer or is it genetically transferable or not.

RECOMMENDATION
Seminars workshops pamphlets

Awareness programmes
Campaigns New Media Internet Mobile SMS

Spreading of Pink Ribbon Campaign

THANK YOU!