Awareness, attitudes and practices of women in relation to breast cancer in Niger

Introduction: In Niger, breast cancer is the first cancer related morbidity and mortality within female population. While awareness can contribute to early diagnosis and disease mortality reduction, Niger women's knowledge of breast cancer is not well documented. In this study, we assessed the awareness, attitudes and practices of women in relation to breast cancer and identify the factors associated with it. Methods: The study was conducted through a cross sectional survey in Zinder and Niamey regions. A random sampling was used to select women in households within health districts. We defined a breast cancer knowledge score and used a generalized linear model to assess factors associated with it. Results: Overall women's knowledge of breast cancer was found to be low, only 41.2% (37.5-45.0) were aware of breast cancer. 65.0% (61.3-68.7) of women demonstrated an awareness of symptoms. Insufficient level of knowledge was observed on knowledge of risk and protection factors with 27.4 % (24.0-31.0), breast cancer good practice with 16.9% (14.2-19.7). Age OR = 0.98 (0.96-0.99), practicing clinical breast examination OR = 2.25 (1.31-3.16), breastfeeding 3.34 (2.12-5.26), not having a history of participation in breast cancer screening and living in rural and peri-urban areas were found to be associated with awareness of breast cancer. Conclusion: Niger women were found to have a relatively low level of breast cancer awareness. While not acquainted with self and clinical breast examination, Niger women knowledge of breast cancer symptoms was acceptable. Awareness programs can promote clinical breast examination as mammography is not common and promote early detection procedures.