Assessment of Community Awareness of Breast Cancer Screening Among Asymptomatic Adults as a Strategy for Risk Reduction and Early Detection

Authors

  • Lucky Daniel Department of Publiic Health, Iconic Open University, Sokoto State Nigeria
  • Lawal Olatunji
  • Ganabuto Kadabiyu Jones
  • Sylvester Daniel
  • Bello Hassana
  • Nwachinemelu Ibeagwa
  • Rakiya Abdullahi Isyaka
  • Opeyemi Esthera Ojelade
  • Abdullahi Aminu Muhammad

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1014-5606

Keywords:

Breast Cancer, Prevention practices, Nigeria, Community Members,, Level of Awareness

Abstract

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer worldwide, with about 2.26 million new cases and 685,000 deaths reported globally. This study aimed to assess community awareness of symptom-free breast cancer screening as a strategy for reducing disease risk and promoting early treatment. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was carried out using a Google Form questionnaire between September and December 2025 in some states in Nigeria. A total of 156 adults (men and women aged 18 years and above) were conveniently recruited. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23, and associations were examined using the Chi-square test. Results: Females made up 79% of respondents, 51% were aged 30–39 years, and 85% had tertiary-level education. Most women (97%) had heard of breast cancer, 95% reported no family history of the disease, and 69% lacked knowledge of its risk factors. In addition, 59% indicated that financial cost prevented them from undergoing screening, while 85% identified early detection as the most effective preventive approach. Conclusion: Despite high awareness of breast cancer, important gaps in knowledge of risk factors and barriers to screening remain. Targeted health education and improved access to affordable screening services are needed to promote early detection and increase breast cancer screening uptake.

 

 

 

 

 

Author Biographies

  • Lucky Daniel, Department of Publiic Health, Iconic Open University, Sokoto State Nigeria

    I am a Senior Lecturer with Iconic Open University Sokoto State Nigeria

  • Lawal Olatunji

    He is a senior Lecturer with the Department of Public Health Iconic Open University

  • Ganabuto Kadabiyu Jones

    He is currently the Adamawa State Epidemiologist, Ministry of Health and Human Services Yola

  • Sylvester Daniel

    He is currently a sonologist with Park medical and diagnostic Centre Vunoklang, Girei LGA Adamawa State

References

Adeel, I., Asma, G.M., Ali, H., Hafsa, H., Fatima N., & Maha, A. (2014). Assessing Awareness, Attitude, and Practices of Breast Cancer Screening and Prevention Among the General Public and Physicians in Pakistan: A Nation with the Highest Breast Cancer Incidence in Asia. International Journal of Breast Cancer, 2128388.

Agbo, P. S., Khalid, A., & Oboirien, M. (2019). Breast cancer awareness and screening practices among women in Northern Nigeria. Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics, 15(6):1235-1240.

Akinola, A., Olumide, A., & Adeniyi, A. (2018). Role of healthcare providers in improving breast cancer awareness and screening: A cross-sectional study in Lagos, Nigeria. Nigerian Medical Journal, 59(4):95-202.8965/223

Andrew, M., James, A.L.B., Carmel, M., Ray, M., Michael, J.K. (2015). Effects of Age on the Detection and Management of Breast Cancer. Cancers, (2):908–929.

Bray, F., McCarron, P., & Parkin, D. M. (2004). The changing global patterns of female breast cancer incidence and mortality. Breast Cancer Research, 6(6):229–239.

Conner, S. J., Borges, H. B., Guarin, J. R., Gerton, T. J., Yui, A., Salhany, K. J., Jr., Mensah, D. N., Hamilton, G. A., Le, G. H., Lew, K. C., Zhang, C., & Oudin, M. J. (2024). Obesity induces temporally regulated alterations in the extracellular matrix that drive breast tumor invasion and metastasis. Cancer Research, 84(17), 2761–2775.

Da Costa Vieira, R. A., Biller, G., Uemura, G., Ruiz, C. A., & Curado, M. P. (2017). Breast cancer screening in developing countries. Clinics, 72(4):244–253.

Ezebuiro, E. I., Ezirim, E. O., Akwuruoha, E. M., Omole, O. R., Airaodion, A. I. et al, (2024). Prevalence, Awareness, and Attitudes towards Breast Cancer among Women in Southeast Nigeria. Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, 8(5):2578.

Feng, Y., Spezia, M., & Huang, S. (2018). Breast cancer development and progression: risk factors, cancer stem cells, signaling pathways, genomics, and molecular pathogenesis. Genes & Diseases, 5(2):77–106.

Ferlay, J., Ervik, M., Lam, F., Colombet, M., Mery, L., Piñeros, M. et al. (2020). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. International Agency for Research on Cancer; Lyon, France: 2020.

Francies, F. Z., Hull, R., & Khanyile, R. (2020). Dlamini Z. Breast cancer in low-middle income countries: abnormality in splicing and lack of targeted treatment options. American Journal of Cancer Research,10(5):1568–1591

Gilani, G.M. & Kamal, S. (2004). Risk factors for breast cancer in Pakistani women aged less than 45 years. Annals of Human Biology, 31(4):398–407

Gul, P., Mansoor, M., Gul, P., and Arshad, Z. (2020). Breast cancer knowledge and perception among healthcare professionals and senior medical students at Bolan Medical Complex Hospital, Quetta, Pakistan. JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 70(12):2432–2436.

Gwarzo, U. M., Sabitu, K., Idris, S.H. (2009). Knowledge and practice of breast-self- examination among female undergraduate students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, northwestern Nigeria. Annals of African Medicine, 8(1):55–58.

Kuljinder, K., Rachana, J., Subh, N., Tanushka, K., Gunteshwar, S.B., Pardeep, G. et al. (2023). Identifying barriers to early diagnosis of breast cancer and perception of women in the Malwa region of Punjab, India2023. Global Health Journal, 7(1):34-42.

Lei, L., Xiaomeng, H., Zian, S., Xiangcheng, Z., Sheng, Z. & Jin, Z. (2021). Correlation between family history and characteristics of breast cancer. Scientific report, 11:6360.

Luana, C., Giorgio, D.N., Roberto, L., Matilde, M., Alessia, L., Elsa, V. et al. (2023). Breast Cancer Prevention: The Key Role of Population Screening, Breast Self-Examination (BSE) and Technological Tools. Survey of Italian Women. Journal of Cancer Educucation, 38(5):1728–1742

Mohamadou, H., Richard, T.S., Grace, N.K., Erika, M.B., Lydiane, C.C.N., & Armel, H.N.K. (2021). Breast Cancer Awareness and screening practices amongst health personnel and the general population of the littoral region of Cameroon. Heliyon, 7(7):07534.

Moridi, A., Mahmoodi, S., Rahmati, N., Fathi, M., & Naeiji, Z. (2021). Comparison of awareness level about breast cancer risk factors, presentations, and screening rules and tools: A cross-sectional study on general female population. Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Cancer Research, 6(4), 188–194.

Opoku, S. Y., Benwell, M., & Yarney, J. (2022). Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, behavior, and breast cancer screening practices in Ghana. Pan African Medical Journal, 10(2), 9-15.

Opoku, S.Y., Martu, B., & Joel, Y. (2012). Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs, Behaviours and Breast Cancer Screening Practices in Ghana, West Africa. Pan African Medical Journal, 11(28):528-548.

Sung, H., Ferlay, J., Siegel, R. L., Laversanne, M., Soerjomataram, I., Jemal, A., & Bray, F. (2021). Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 71(3), 209–249.

Knowledge of Breast Cancer

Downloads

Published

17-08-2026

How to Cite

Daniel, L., Olatunji, L., Kadabiyu Jones, G., Daniel, S., Hassana, B., Ibeagwa, N., Isyaka, R. A., Ojelade, O. E., & Muhammad, A. A. (2026). Assessment of Community Awareness of Breast Cancer Screening Among Asymptomatic Adults as a Strategy for Risk Reduction and Early Detection. FUDMA Journal of Sciences, 10(14), 123-131. https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1014-5606

Most read articles by the same author(s)