A Systematic Review of Breast Cancer Knowledge Among School-Level Students Worldwide.

Abstract

Breast cancer knowledge and the practice of breast self-examination among school students are crucial topics in health education due to the high incidence rate. However, there is little research on this subject. This systematic review aims to synthesize the empirical literature on the topic, analyzing and identifying patterns in the learning strategies and evaluation methodologies used. A systematic search, following the PRISMA method across the Scopus, Web of Science, and ERIC databases, found only six studies published between 2000 and 2021 that focused on school education. The results revealed a significant lack of explicit and detailed educational interventions. Only two studies included educational interventions, but both lacked specific methodological details, limiting the ability to assess their effectiveness and replicate the results. While cross-sectional studies are useful for evaluating general knowledge, they did not sufficiently explore the underlying causes of knowledge deficiencies, nor did they propose strategies to address them. There is an urgent need to develop detailed and well-documented educational interventions on breast cancer within school contexts. This review provides an initial foundation and suggests that future research should address the identified methodological gaps to effectively contribute to health education and breast cancer prevention in young populations.