Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices toward Breast Cancer among Midwives in a Breast Cancer Educational Seminar in Tehran

Background: The incidence of breast cancer is rising rapidly worldwide.Midwives have an important role in early detection of the disease by providing thepatients with awareness and an accurate Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) of thepatients that are effective in early detections. This study investigated theknowledge, attitudes and practices of midwives toward breast cancer. Methods: The study was conducted on ۲۱۰ of midwives aged ۲۰-۶۲ whoparticipated in a seminar for clarifying the role of knowledge, attitudes andpractices in breast cancer early detection and prevention. The data were collectedusing a standard questionnaire which has ۴ sections with ۵۵ items including age,educational level, number of family members, marital status, family history ofbreast cancer and their knowledge, attitude and practices about breast cancerscreening. Data were analyzed using SPSS version ۱۳.۰. Results: About two-third of the participants (۶۵.۹%) had excellent knowledgeabout the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. The results revealed that ۳۰.۸% ofrespondents performed self-examination once a month. There was a significantcorrelation between the knowledge of breast cancer and adopting preventivepractices (P = ۰.۰۲). The level of their attitude was significantly associated with apositive family history of breast cancer (P= ۰.۰۳). There was no significantrelationship between marital status or family history of breast cancer with CBE. Conclusion: An appropriate level of knowledge and practice of breast cancerscreening was observed to help prevention among midwives. The findings can haveremarkable practical implications as midwives can play an important role to broadenthe breast-cancer-related knowledge of women.