Awareness of breast self-examination and understanding of breast cancer treatment options among female patients of Lahore, Pakistan - a cross-sectional study

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Himbo

A cross-sectional study assessed Pakistani women with breast cancer’s current knowledge of breast self-examination (BSE) and their choices for traditional and non-conventional treatment options. Data were collected from January to June 2023 in Lahore across two hospital cancer departments and homeopathic and nutritional clinics, totaling 296 responses. Findings indicate limited BSE knowledge and frequent use of multiple treatment options without informing healthcare providers, highlighting the need for targeted education.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Study context and rationale

Methods

Study design and setting

Results

Participants and key findings

Conclusions

Implications for awareness and treatment safety

OPEN ACCESS J PREV MED HYG 2024; 65: E538-E546 NoN ComuNiCable Diseases Awareness of breast self-examination and understanding of breast cancer treatment options among female patients of Lahore, Pakistan: a cross-sectional study NOSHEEN MUSTAFA1, KANWAL ASHIQ1, EMAAN MUSTAFA2, SHAHERYAR ALI2, MARYAM ZAKA3 1 Faculty of Pharmacy, Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan; 2 Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan; 3 Faculty of Pharmacy, Lahore College of Women University, Lahore, Pakistan Keywords Breast cancer • Cross-sectional • Pakistan • Allopathic • Traditional medicine Summary Introduction. Breast cancer is a major worldwide health concern that affects women in both developed and developing nations. The purpose of the study is to assess Pakistani women with breast cancer’s present understanding of breast self-examination (BSE) as well as their choices for traditional and non-conventional breast cancer treatment options. Methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out in two hospitals’ cancer departments as well as homeopathic and nutritional clinics in Lahore, Pakistan. The data for the present study was collected from January to June 2023. Results. A total of 296 responses were obtained. The study findings showed that most participants had little knowledge about BSE and were using multiple treatment options without informing their healthcare provider. Conclusions. Breast cancer awareness is crucial for early detection, education about risk factors, and proactive fitness management. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) might cause problems when used with allopathic medicines, especially if healthcare professionals are not adequately informed about its concomitant use. Introduction Breast cancer affects women in both developed and developing countries, making it a serious global health concern. Limited resources, inadequate nutrition, and reproductive-related factors exacerbate breast cancer disparities. Restricted healthcare access leads to delayed diagnoses and treatment and higher mortality rates in underserved populations. Inadequate nutrition compromise’s immune function, and reproductive factors, like early menstruation, late menopause, or fewer pregnancies, can contribute to these disparities [1] . After overtaking lung cancer in 2020, female breast cancer accounted for 11.7% of all cancer cases and was the world’s top cause of cancer incidence. Breast cancer is expected to have a substantial impact on global cancer statistics, accounting for 15.2% of all new cancer cases worldwide by 2023. It also continues to be the world’s sixth most common cause of cancer death [2] . There is a significant variation in incidence rates across different countries. High-income countries report rates as high as 90 per 100,00,000 women, while low-income countries report as low as 30 per 100,00,000 women [3, 4] . The majority of incidents of breast cancer are diagnosed in women 50 years of age and older, with around 80% of cases occurring in this age group. With a five-year relative survival rate of roughly 90% for early-stage breast cancer, it drops to about 27% for metastatic cases. Early diagnosis significantly improves outcomes [5] . Based on Khan et al., by 2023, there will be 90 to 100,00 cases of breast cancer for every 100,00,000 women in Pakistan, making it the most common cancer among females. The illness adversely affects people’s physical, mental, social, and existential well-being, which substantially negatively impacts their quality of life (QoL) [6] . For example, even after therapy concludes, patients frequently experience ongoing fatigue and discomfort. A study indicated that breast cancer patients report clinical levels of distress after treatment. Mentally, the diagnosis can cause high levels of worry and sadness. As seen in a study where 30% of breast cancer patients reported fewer social connections as a result of their illness, the demands of continuous treatment might socially res

FAQs

What was the study’s purpose regarding breast cancer awareness?

To assess Pakistani women’s understanding of breast self-examination (BSE) and their choices for traditional and non-conventional breast cancer treatment options.

Where and how was the cross-sectional study conducted?

It was conducted in Lahore from January to June 2023 across two hospital cancer departments and homeopathic and nutritional clinics.

What did the study find about participants’ BSE knowledge and treatment behavior?

Most participants had limited knowledge about BSE and used multiple treatment options without informing their healthcare provider.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Himbo