Evaluation of breast cancer awareness among Malaysian undergraduate pharmacy students / Farah Rosali

Breast cancer is the commonest cancer and third leading cause of cancer related deaths among Malaysian women. This study aimed to assess breast cancer awareness among undergraduate pharmacy students recruited from public and private universities. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a validated structured self administered 27-item questionnaire. Forty undergraduate (Bachelor of Pharmacy) students from each academic year of the three (2 Public and 1 Private) conveniently selected universities were invited to participate in the study. Data analysis was carried out by using SPSS version 15.0 software package. Of 460 questionnaires distributed, 395 were returned (Response Rate= 82.3%). Majority of the respondents were female (75%).The mean total knowledge score was 13.43 ± 2.94 with only 86 (21.8%) of the participants had good breast cancer knowledge. The first year students had significantly less mean total knowledge score than third and final year students (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between third and final year students (p = 0. 729) and among different ethnic groups (p = 0.93). Generally, participants had positive perception towards the management and treatment outcomes of breast cancer. Though, more than 60% of the respondents considered breast cancer treatment as long and painful process. The study highlighted serious breast cancer knowledge deficits. Thus, issues related to public health, disease prevention and health promotion should be incorporated in to undergraduate pharmacy curriculum as Pharmacists can play a vital role in these key areas.