Study Shows No Awareness of Breast Cancer Screening Among Women in Rural Areas in Coastal Karnataka Compared to Nearby Urban Areas

Background and objectives: Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cancer in Indian women. This study examined relationships between demographic variables of women in rural Vitla and urban areas of Mangalore, Moodbidri and Puttur in Dakshina Kannada District and their awareness of BC screening policy, BC and health insurance. The objectives were to know if rural women have adequate knowledge of BC screening. Methods: 100 women cashew factory workers in Vitla were given an oral questionnaire in Kannada and 65 women from urban areas of Mangalore, Moodbidri and Puttur were given the questionnaire in English. Results: Answer sets were analysed, results indicated no significant correlation between respondents’ education and awareness about BC Screening, Self-Examination (BSE) and government screening policies in Vitla (Dakshina Kannada). No relationship was observed between age and awareness. Women in Vitla (Mangalore is 40 km away from Vitla), were aware of BC and had Ayushman Bharat cover; yet they had no idea about screening or its policy but agreed to screen if motivated. All urban women had received higher education, some had heard of BC screening and had health insurance yet were unwilling to screen. Others had not heard of screening but were willing to go. Interpretation and conclusions: India has a 2016 Government policy to screen BC which has not reached all rural women. It must be implemented effectively as early diagnoses and detection can reduce mortality in BC.