Breast cancer knowledge, attitude and practice among medical and non-medical university students

Aims To assess the level of breast cancer knowledge, attitude and practice among female Beni-Suef University students. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at Beni-Suef University. A convenience sample of 963 female students (489 non-medical and 474 medical) was included. The sample was selected from different colleges with a response rate of 87%. Results The mean age of non-medical and medical participants was 19.4 years (SD +/- 1.24) and 20.74 years (SD +/- 1.5), respectively. Medical students were more knowledgeable about breast cancer risk factors. Breast self-examination (BSE) practice was known by 72.4% of medical students vs. 47.6% of non-medical ones. Nearly two-thirds of the medical students performed BSE at the best time during the menstrual cycle. Poor level of knowledge and practice was found among non-medical students compared with a good level of knowledge and practice among medical students (P = 0.001). Both groups showed insufficient levels with regard to attitude. Non-medical students showed positive predictors for poor and insufficient knowledge (OR = 469.2 and 62.17, respectively). Having relatives with breast cancer was a significant negative predictor for the state of poor practice (OR = 1.809). Willingness to attend awareness and training seminars was a significant negative predictor for the state of insufficient practice among the non-medical students (OR = 0.624). Conclusions The level of knowledge and practices toward breast cancer was higher among medical students. The overall level of BSE practice was low, with a significant difference between the medical and non-medical students.