Abstract

Global research still reveals a critical gap in breast cancer (BC) awareness. This study was performed during educational activities in Gharyan governorate in Libya during 2013 as a cross sectional survey assessing BC and breast self-examination (BSE) awareness, BSE practice and attitudes toward BSE in school and collegiate female students and teachers targeted 1027 participants and revealed 97.4% awareness of BC, 42.3% awareness of BSE, 13.4% practice of BSE and only 3.2% regular practice of BSE. Among those who were aware about BC, 97.7% were interested to know, 94.2% exhibited the will to know and excel BSE, 88.0% exhibited the will to educate BSE and 85.9% exhibited the will to participate in BC awareness activities. The first three attitudes seem to be driven by awareness about BC. Anyhow, education and awareness of BSE were found independent predictors for the will to learn and excel the practice of BSE, working woman status was an independent predictor for the proactivity in educating others while having an affected family member was the independent predictor for the will in participation in taskforces. The selective targeting of the proactive groups in the future may enhance the program and save resources.