Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women and is increasingly affecting younger populations. According to GLOBOCAN 2022, there were approximately 2.3 million new cases and 670,000 deaths globally; in Vietnam, breast cancer ranks first among female cancers (24,563 new cases, 13.6%). Breast self-examination (BSE) is a simple, low-cost method that helps women detect early abnormalities, yet knowledge and correct practice remain limited—even among medical students, who play a key role in health education.
Objective: To describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) and related factors regarding BSE among female medical students.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, year-stratified online survey was conducted among 336 female medical students using a structured questionnaire validated in prior studies. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to identify associated factors.
Results: Adequate knowledge (≥70%) was observed in 47.6% of participants, while 52.1% demonstrated a favorable attitude. Correct understanding of frequency, timing, and techniques remained limited. Approximately half of the students reported ever practicing BSE, and 30.3% performed it monthly. BSE practice increased with academic year and was independently associated with knowledge, attitude, and information from healthcare providers.
Conclusion: Gaps persist in maintaining regular BSE among female medical students. Standardized guidance on timing and frequency and provider-led education are needed to shift behavior from “ever practiced” to “monthly practice.”
| Published | 2026-09-28 | |
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| Issue | Vol. 16 No. 5 (2026) | |
| Section | Original Articles | |
| DOI | 10.34071/jmp.2026.5.745 | |
| Keywords | Từ khóa: Tự khám vú; Sinh viên Y khoa; Kiến thức, Thái độ, Thực hành; Nghiên cứu cắt ngang |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2026 Hue Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy
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