Knowledge of Risk Factors and Means of Breast Cancer Screening by Women Seen in Gynecological Consultation at Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital-Lome Togo

Abstract

Background: In Togo, awareness is very low and patients regularly present with advanced stages of breast cancer. Objective : Determine the knowledge of risk factors and means of breast cancer screening by women seen in gynecological consultation of the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital (CHU SO). Methods : This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at the gynecology-obstetrics clinic of the CHU SO of Lomé, from March 1 to July 15, 2022. Results : We surveyed 1,566 gynaecological outpatients. Six hundred ( 600) patients agreed to answer our questions freely, giving a participation rate of 38.3%. The average age of the respondents was 31.9 years old. In 25.5% of cases, the respondents were high school graduates. Five hundred and forty-five of the respondents, or 90.8% had already heard of breast cancer. The most frequent sources of information were medical staff in 34.1% of cases. The presence of nodule in the breast was cited as a clinical sign in 68.4% of cases, breast self-examination as a means of screening in 72.6% of cases, personal history of breast cancer in 51.7% of the cases has non-modifiable risks and smoking as a modifiable risk factor by 58.9% of the respondents. In 31% of cases, they performed breast cancer screening on their own. Breast self-examination was performed by 27.7% of them. Occupation and level of study were statistically associated with women’s knowledge of breast cancer. Conclusion: Most women recognize the existence of breast cancer but their knowledge about signs and risk factors remains low. Few of them, practice screening.