Breast Cancer Knowledge among Students at a State Comprehensive University

Abstract

Abstract Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide and the second-leading cause of death among women in the United States. While lack of knowledge about breast cancer is a key factor in breast cancer mortality, little is known about breast cancer knowledge among women and men under the age of 30. The goal of the current study was to investigate the knowledge and awareness of breast cancer among female and male undergraduate students at a State Comprehensive University in the Southeastern United States. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of 265 male and female undergraduate students from six colleges at a State Comprehensive University in the southeastern United States. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to predict breast cancer knowledge using gender, academic major, marital status, age, family household income, and race as predictors. All analyses were performed using SPSS version 24. Results: Overall, a majority of study participants did not demonstrate adequate knowledge about breast cancer. There were significant differences by gender and race. All other predictors were not statistically significant. Conclusion. This study highlights the need to formulate educational programs to increase breast cancer awareness among undergraduate students in State Comprehensive Universities, in general, and to specifically focus on creating awareness among males, reducing the racial gap in breast cancer knowledge and, consequently, reducing existing racial disparities.