Breast Self-Examination and Breast Cancer Awareness in Medical Students: A Survey Study in a Medical School

Objective: This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of students in a medical school regarding breast self-exam and also to explore their level of knowledge regarding breast cancer. 
Methods: The research was carried out in Selcuk University Faculty of Medicine in April 2022, among medical students. The universe of the study consisted of all medical school students and it was conducted with 221 volunteers who accepted the study. Participants were asked questions about breast cancer and breast self-exam. 
Results: Two-hundred twenty one students participated in the study. The mean age was 20,71±2,108 (range 18-32). Of the 221 participants, 67% (n: 148) were female and 33% (n: 73) were male, and 76.5% (n: 169) were preclinical (1st-2nd-3rd year) students, and 23.5% (n = 52) were clinical (4th-5th-6th year) students. 69.2% of the participants reported that they had knowledge about breast cancer. 66.8% (n:147) of the students stated that they did not perform BSE, when it was questioned why those who did not perform it, 68.8% (n:93) of them did not have enough information. 
Conclusion: As a result of the survey in which the knowledge, attitude and behavior of medical school students about breast cancer and BSE were evaluated, it was concluded that there is a lack of knowledge about breast cancer. Regarding BSE, it was also determined that the students were not sufficient for both self-application and knowledge. Especially for developing countries, it is a cost-effective and effective screening method for use that can be useful in the early diagnosis of breast cancer when done correctly.