Knowledge regarding breast cancer diagnosis among medical students - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia

Knowledge regarding breast cancer diagnosis among medical students |

Purpose: to evaluate how knowledgeable medical students at the Universidade Federal de Goiás were concerning the basic diagnostic principles breast cancer. The study also aimed at promoting a debate among the students and at assessing the understanding of the students in the fifth year of medical school, who had already attended the Gynecology course. Methods: Through questionnaires given to 348 individuals, from the first to the fifth year, out of a total population of 550 students, the authors searched for information with regard to basic knowledge on the diagnosis of breast cancer. Of the 348 questionnaires, 55 (16%) were given to fifth-year students, who had already attended the Gynecology course. Furthermore, 43% of the students were women, 62% had medical doctors in their immediate family, and 17% had a family history of breast cancer. Results: in regard to the knowledge of diagnostic methods, 84% of the students were aware of the most frequent sign of breast cancer, 34% knew which was the best screening method, 49% knew when to refer asymptomatic women to mammography, 37% knew the recommended interval between mammography for women above the age of 50, and 24% knew when to associate ultrasound to mammography for the detection of breast cancer. The fifth-year students provided correct answers at a significantly higher rate, when compared to the others. Concerning gender, the only difference regarded the fact that women showed a better knowledge as to the best time for self-examination and when to recommend ultrasound associated with mammography. The presence of medical doctors in the family and a history of family members with breast cancer did not have any influence on the answers. Conclusion: The lack of information in regard to the diagnosis of breast cancer is very high, even among medical students. Nevertheless, the rate of information increases significantly after students are taught Gynecology, which is only offered during the fifth year of the medical school.