A Quasi-Experimental Study to Improve Breast Cancer Awareness Among University Students

Overview

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Despite advances in early detection and screening methods, breast cancer remains a significant public health issue, especially in populations with low awareness levels. This study aims to evaluate the effect of a breast cancer education program on the knowledge and awareness of female students at Mardin Artuklu University. The study will include 100 voluntary female students aged 18 and older from five faculties, selected using cluster sampling. Participants will complete a Personal Information Form, the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Knowledge Test, and the Breast Cancer Awareness Scale before the intervention. They will then attend a five-session breast cancer education program, with each session lasting 90 minutes. A post-test will be administered two months after the completion of the training. The education program is expected to improve students' knowledge and awareness of breast cancer, encourage early detection behaviors, and contribute to the prevention and early diagnosis of breast cancer.

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies among women worldwide and remains a major public health problem and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Despite advancements in healthcare systems, screening programs, and early detection methods, breast cancer continues to pose a significant threat, particularly in populations with low awareness levels. Early detection, including breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination, and mammography, is crucial and is strongly associated with individuals' knowledge and awareness. The literature indicates that young women, particularly university students, often lack sufficient knowledge about breast cancer and have limited awareness regarding early detection and screening behaviors. University students represent a critical target group for health education, as they are at an age where adopting preventive health behaviors and gaining accurate knowledge can have a long-term positive impact. Therefore, implementing educational programs to increase young women's knowledge and awareness of breast cancer is expected to improve early detection rates and contribute to the reduction of breast cancer mortality in the long term. This study is a quasi-experimental, single-group, pre-test-post-test design to be conducted among female students at Mardin Artuklu University. The study population will include 100 female students enrolled in the 2025-2026 academic year. Cluster sampling will be used, and 20 students will be selected from each of the following faculties: Faculty of Literature, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Faculty of Islamic Sciences, Faculty of Tourism, and School of Physical Education and Sports. Prior to the educational intervention, participants will complete a Personal Information Form, the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Knowledge Test, and the Breast Cancer Awareness Scale. Following this, a five-session breast cancer education and awareness program will be implemented. Each session will last 90 minutes and will cover breast cancer risk factors, early detection methods, steps of BSE, and health-promoting behaviors. Two months after the completion of the educational program, a post-test will be administered to evaluate changes in knowledge and awareness. This study is expected to enhance university students' knowledge and awareness of breast cancer, encourage regular early detection and screening practices, promote healthy lifestyle behaviors, and contribute to the early diagnosis and prevention of breast cancer in Türkiye. The findings may provide valuable guidance for developing similar educational interventions in the field of public health nursing.