Knowledge and practice of breast cancer screening among female nurses and lay women in Osogbo, Nigeria.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among African women. Most researchers have attributed the late presentation to poor knowledge of breast cancer symptoms.

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between knowledge and practice of breast cancer screening in two groups of women with different levels of knowledge of breast carcinoma.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using self administered questionnaire to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practice of breast cancer and screening programmes among nurses in a university teaching hospital, and women in non health professionals in south-western Nigeria.

Results: The mean knowledge score for the nurses was 10.9%±3.6 whereas the mean score for non-health professionals was 3.5%±4.1 (p value < 0.001). In those above the age of 40 years, comprising 141 subjects, 35 nurses and 106 women in non-health professionals, 22.9% and 15% respectively had had a mammogram (p=0.289,1.123).

Conclusion: Good knowledge does not imply better screening rates in south-western Nigeria.