Published Paper Details:

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women globally. It is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where late presentation and limited access to screening facilities contribute to poor outcomes. Early detection remains critical for reducing mortality, and Breast Self-Examination (BSE) offers a simple, cost-free, and non-invasive method particularly suited for resource-limited rural settings. Despite its potential, studies consistently show that awareness, knowledge, and attitudes toward BSE are often inadequate, creating significant barriers to timely diagnosis and treatment. The study aims to evaluate and correlate knowledge and attitude level regarding the Breast-Self Examination (BSE) and demographic details and its association among the rural women. Methodology: An observational, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 rural women in selected villages of Tehsil Nagri Parole, Kathua. Data were collected using a structured interview schedule on socio-demographics, knowledge, and attitudes regarding Breast Self-Examination (BSE). Descriptive findings summarized in percentage, and Chi-square tests were applied to assess associations between demographic variables, knowledge, and attitude, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Most participants had poor to average knowledge (76%) and a predominantly negative attitude (74%) toward Breast Self-Examination (BSE). Knowledge score was significantly associated with age, education, and height, while attitude showed associations with age, diet, number of children, and family history of breast-related diseases. Conclusion: The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted health education interventions to improve awareness and practice of BSE among rural women, thereby facilitating early detection of breast cancer.