Awareness of breast self-examination and understanding of breast cancer treatment options among female patients of Lahore, Pakistan: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is a major worldwide health concern that affects women in both developed and developing nations. The purpose of the study is to assess Pakistani women with breast cancer's present understanding of breast self-examination (BSE) as well as their choices for traditional and non-conventional breast cancer treatment options.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in two hospitals' cancer departments as well as homeopathic and nutritional clinics in Lahore, Pakistan. The data for the present study was collected from January to June 2023.

Results: A total of 296 responses were obtained. The study findings showed that most participants had little knowledge about BSE and were using multiple treatment options without informing their healthcare provider.

Conclusions: Breast cancer awareness is crucial for early detection, education about risk factors, and proactive fitness management. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) might cause problems when used with allopathic medicines, especially if healthcare professionals are not adequately informed about its concomitant use.