Breast cancer is the most common cancerin women, other than skin cancer. A major health problem in many parts of the world, it is especially prevalent in developed countries. As a result of large-scale screening of women considered at higher risk, a greater number of breast cancer have been discovered and treated in recent years, in cases where the women experienced no symptoms.
In the Philippines, approximately 100,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. According to the Department of health (DOH), There were cases of breast cancer and womeno died of the disease in the year. Looking at the statistics is naturally frightening. It could happen to everyone of any age starting adolescence. Its occurence can never be prevented because its actual cause is still unknown.
We choose to conduct this study to help our future nurses to empower themselves andmigth as well take actions in advocating the importance of the said self-breast exam as a health preventive behavior especially for those who are at the greater risks. The aims of the study where to determine knowledge, levels about the female nursing students respectively since as future nurses their responsibility as a health care provider is to promote health and prevent disease.
The study used the descriptive type of research. the researchers choose the famale nursing students of the DYCI bATCH 2007-2008 as the subject of the study. We used the random sampling and the slovens formula in getting the target respondents. The research instrument used used was the questionnaire to provide the researchers information such as demographic data and also as a basis to assess the respondents perceptions on BSE in terms of knowledge, skills, and attitude. The researchers also utilizes the prequency and percentage distribution as statistical tools to analyze and interpret and data for descriptive purposes. Based on the survey done,majority of the respondents belongs to ages 18-20 (66%), followed by ages 27 and above having a 17% distribution while 14% on the ages 21-23 and 3% on ages 24-26. The civil status of the respondents showed the majority are single (86%). As the extent of perception of the respondents on BSE In the terms of knowledge and skills majority of them were very good while in terms of attitude majority of the respondents were very good, some were good and some were fair on BSE.
Based on the findings and conclusions on the study, the researchers recommend that the area of the skills as criteria for determining the extent of perception on BSE be given attention by giving a seminar to enhance this area and that a film viewing program be advised to improved the awareness of students on the effect and benefits of breast self-examination