AWARENESS OF BREAST CANCER RISK FACTORS AMONG FINAL-YEAR RADIOGRAPHY STUDENTS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

Breast carcinoma is the leading cause of death among women aged 30 and above, significantly reducing life expectancy, particularly for those between 31 and 50 years old. The incidence of breast cancer is rapidly increasing in population groups that previously had low rates of the disease. A major concern is that most patients present late to the hospital, primarily due to inadequate knowledge of breast cancer among the general population. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the level of awareness and knowledge of breast cancer risk factors. This study aimed to evaluate the awareness of breast cancer risk factors among final-year Radiography students in Northern Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among students from three universities in Northern Nigeria, using self-administered questionnaires. Of the respondents, 158 (96.3%) had heard of breast cancer, with 69 (42.1%) citing lectures as their primary source of information. However, overall knowledge of breast cancer risk factors was found to be low. In conclusion, while the majority of respondents were aware of breast cancer, their knowledge and understanding of the disease and its risk factors were notably deficient.