Coverage of Cervical Cancer Screening and Breast Self - Examination among Women in Wapi Pathum District, Maha Sarakham Province, in 2006

Abstract

Cervical and breast cancers are the most common among Thai women. Early detection and prompt treatment prior to metastasis are the key factors to successful treatment outcomes. The objectives of this servey study were to evaluate knowledge of cervical cancers and breast cancers, coverage of cervical cancer screening and breast self - examination, types of service, problems relating to cervical cancer screening and breast self - examination. The study was covering 1,009 women, aged 35-65 years, living in 30 villages, selected from all the 240 villages in Wapi Pathum District by using the 30 cluster sampling technique. Data were collected by interviewing in October 2006. The statistical analyses were frequency, percentage, standard deviation and chi-square test. Most of these women surveyed reported their knowledge about cervical and breast cancers at a good level, 63.1 percent of them receiving cervical cancer screening within the last 5 years and within the last year at 47.0 percent. The major cause of not being examined for cervical cancer screening was that there were not any symptoms. The mobile unit of Wapi Pathum Hospital was reportedly the most popular while 70.0 percent underwent breast - self examination within the last year, and 5.7 percent examined by health workers. Regarding breast self - examination, most (61.7%) confessed of being untrained and, hence, dictates the urgent call for health education for this particular underserved group.