Breast Cancer and Breast Self-examination: Awareness and Practice among Secondary School Girls in Nyarugenge District, Rwanda

Aims: To assess the level of early sensitization and education of adolescent high school girls in Rwanda about Breast Cancer (BC) and Breast Self-Examination (BSE) as one of strategic approaches to reduce the risk of late intervention and thence the BC related deaths.

Methods: 239 girls aged 17-20 years old, randomly selected from Nyarugenge secondary schools during the academic year 2013-2014 participated in this prospective cross-sectional survey using a structured self-administered questionnaire.

Results: Overall 94.6% of surveyed girls had heard about BC, but only few had limited knowledge about BC risk factors, diagnostic methods and BSE. Less than 24% practiced breast palpation and not more than 10% knew the correct frequency and technique of BSE performance. No formal education is planned in educational curriculum. The awareness was acquired through mainly media (58.4%) and classmates (17.2%), and lightly from parents (5.4%). The level of parents’ education, familial history of cancer and attendance to educational workshops may contribute to high alertness.

Conclusions: Evaluating the actual level of education given to adolescent high school students will help decision-makers drawing appropriate action. There is need to establish coordinated cooperation between parents, educators, and the media in dissemination of adequate information.