Il tumore al seno. Valutazione delle conoscenze delle donne, informazione e prevenzione in gravidanza

Introduction Breast cancer is the most diagnosed tumor for women, and the most frequent cause of cancer death all over the world. Breast cancer survival after 5 years from diagnosis is steadily increasing thanks to precocious diagnosis (AIRTUM 2015). Purpose The aim of this research was to investigate the level of knowledge of breast cancer within a population of pregnant women. Furthermore, the search has examined possible rela- tionships between social-demographic variables and women’s knowledge. Methods This is a perspective study on a group of 42 pregnant women attending the antenatal education course at FMBBM-ASST Monza between July and September 2016. Women were asked to fill in a questionnaire which was divided into 4 macro areas: breast’s anatomy, epidemiology of breast carci- noma, primary and secondary prevention. Subsequently an obstetric formative educational intervention has been devel- oped on breast tumor. Results Results show a poor awareness in women on breast physiol- ogy and a low knowledge of breast cancer epidemiology and methods of prevention. However, there is a positive relation- ship between education, multiparity, breast visit and the level of knowledge of this themes. Conclusion The research shows the importance to make women aware of breast cancer, by increasing their knowledge and conse- quently facilitating the changing of habits and lifestyles related to the spread of such tumor. Operating during pregnancy permits to extend prevention to the community and to promote gender health