Breast Cancer Awareness Among Bangladeshi

Women

Sourav Nag

Eng-105 Sec-12

Nasreen Rahman(NNR)

24th August 2020

Contents

Abstract....................................................................1
Introduction.............................................................1
Objective of the study.............................................1
Participant Profile:.................................................2
Research Methodology:..........................................3
Data Analysis...........................................................4
Recommendations.................................................14
Conclusion.............................................................17
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Abstract
          The research was conducted to know the condition of breast cancer awareness towards
women. Find out the main reason why Bangladeshi women are not aware of breast cancer. The
main reason women die by breast cancer is lack of awareness and the solution is using mass
media to aware people of breast cancer.

Introduction
Breast cancer is a kind of disease when breast cells grow without control. “Breast cancer is the
second most common cancer in women. Generally, the age group of 40 plus women has a
higher probability of having breast cancer. Men are also in danger but compared to
women”[ CITATION Ame \l 1033 ], it is quite less. Every year 12,764 women are detected
with breast cancer and 6,844 of them die according to a report of the International Agency for
Research on Cancer. If we see the total number of cancer patients in Bangladesh, 8% of them
are from breast cancer and it is going up day by day. So it is important to recognize the causes
and symptoms of breast cancer. For the lack of Breast Cancer awareness, a lot of women die
every year.

Objective of the study

The main objective of the research paper is the “lack of Breast Cancer awareness, a lot of
women die every year and by aware people we can control the increasing death rate.

 
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Participant Profile:

Profile Name Profession Work Place

Profile 1 Student University
Profile 2 Doctor pioneer dental college and
hospital
Profile 3 Student University
Profile 4 Fashion Designer Mohakhali
Profile 5 Teacher Gulshan International School
Profile 6 Business Dhaka
Profile 7 Student NSU
Profile 8 Business Chittagong
Profile 9 Teacher I. G. High school
Profile 10 Teacher Pabna High School
Profile 11 Self-Employee Online
Profile 12 Student NSU
Profile 13 Doctor Private chamber
Profile 14 Service Holder NGO
Profile 15 Teacher Private College
Profile 16 Service Holder Online
Profile 17 House Wife Home
Profile 18 House Wife Home
Profile 19 Student NSU
Profile 20 Student NSU

Research Methodology:
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For the research, a survey had been conducted of some representatives from the general public in
their point of view on breast cancer awareness of Bangladeshi women. for the survey, I have to
design a questionnaire with different types of questions. I include 10 questions for the questionnaire
and I make those questions by gathering information from different sources. I use google form for the
survey. I survey on 20 people and they all are from different professions. After getting the information
from the public I together all this information and make individual pie charts to show the survey
result.

Data Analysis
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        INTRODUCTION: The pie chart shows the number of people who know about breast cancer in
percentage.

          FINDINGS: From the survey, 90% of people are knowing about breast cancer whereas 10% of people
do not know about breast cancer if we convert it into a number 17 people know about breast cancer
on the other hand 3 people do not have any idea about it. So the percentage of yes is higher than the
percentage of no.

CONCLUSION: The people know about breast cancer by percent shows that the higher percentage of
people know what breast cancer is.
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INTRODUCTION: This pie chart shows what percentage of people know who affected by breast
cancer.

           FINDINGS: From the survey, only 30% of people knows the correct information of who affected by
breast cancer on the other hand 70% of people say only women can be affected by breast cancer.30%
people say men and women both can be affected by breast cancer. In number from 20 people, only 6
people know about breast cancer can affect men and women both and 14 people say women are
affected by breast cancer and no one chooses the other option “man”. the percentage of women is
higher than the percentage of man and women.
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           CONCLUSION: The people know about who affected by breast cancer by percent shows that the
higher percentage of people do not know the correct information.
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          INTRODUCTION: The pie chart illustrate what percentage of people know the symptoms of breast
cancer.

          FINDINGS: From the survey, 20% of people know most of the symptoms of breast cancer,50% of
people know few of the symptoms of breast cancer, and 30% of people do not know any symptoms of
breast cancer. In number from 20 people, only 4 people know all the symptoms of breast cancer,10
people know few symptoms of breast cancer and 6 people do not know any symptoms of breast
cancer. the percentage of not knowing a person about breast cancer symptoms is higher than the
knowing person about breast cancer symptoms.

           CONCLUSION: The people know about breast cancer symptoms is very low and some of them know a
few symptoms but most of them do not have any idea about breast cancer symptoms.
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INTRODUCTION: The pie chart illustrate what people think about the main reason behind the high
death rate of breast cancer in Bangladesh.

          FINDINGS: The survey shows that 60% of people think lack of awareness is the main reason behind the
high death rate than 35%people think a lack of communication with family and friends about breast
cancer is the main reason behind the high death rate of breast cancer. and 5% of people think a lack
of medical facilities is the main reason behind the high death rate of breast cancer. In number from
20 people, 12 people think that lack of awareness is the main reason behind high death rate on the
other hand 7 people think lack of communication with family and friends about breast cancer is the
main reason behind high death rate of breast cancer and lastly only 1 person think lack of medical
facilities is the main reason behind high death rate of breast cancer.    So the result shows that most
of the people think lack of awareness is the main reason behind the high death rate of breast cancer.

          CONCLUSION: Survey report shows tow possible reason are high for a higher death rate of breast
cancer one is lack of awareness and the second one is lack of communication with family and friends.
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INTRODUCTION: The pie chart shows what percentage of people are agreeing or disagree or strongly
disagree with the sentence said Bangladeshi women are not aware of breast cancer.

          FINDINGS: The survey shows that 70% of people are agreeing with the sentence Bangladeshi women
are not aware of breast cancer AND 30% of people disagree with this point and no one goes for
strongly disagree. In number from 20 people, 14 people agree that Bangladeshi women are not aware
of breast cancer on the other hand 6 people do not agree with this point.  So the result shows that
most people agree that Bangladeshi women are not aware of breast cancer.

          CONCLUSION: Survey report shows most of the people thought that Bangladeshi women are not
aware of breast cancer.
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INTRODUCTION: The pie chart illustrate what people think about why Bangladeshi women are not
aware of breast cancer.

           FINDINGS: The survey shows that 55% of people think less scope for gaining knowledge about breast
cancer is the main reason of Bangladeshi women are not aware of breast cancer,25% people think the
social stigma attached to sexual organs is the reason behind women are not aware of breast cancer
and 20% people say because the literacy rate is low this is the reason behind Bangladeshi women are
not aware of breast cancer. Now if we convert it in number from 20 people 11 people think less scope
for gaining knowledge about breast cancer is the main reason of Bangladeshi women are not aware of
breast cancer,5 people think the social stigma attached to sexual organs is the reason behind women
are not aware of breast cancer and 4 people say because the literacy rate is low this is the reason
behind Bangladeshi women are not aware of breast cancer. So the result shows that most people
think less scope for gaining knowledge about breast cancer is the main reason of Bangladeshi women
are not aware of breast cancer 

   CONCLUSION: Survey report shows people who choose less scope for gaining knowledge about breast
cancer is the main reason for Bangladeshi women are not aware of breast cancers higher than the
other two.
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INTRODUCTION: This pie chart shows what percentage of people think about why Bangladeshi women
tried to hide if they have symptoms of breast cancer.

          FINDINGS: From the survey, 80% of people think they are not comfortable enough to discuss it with
family and 20% of people say for social superstition. In number from 20 people surveyed 16 people
said Bangladeshi women are not comfortable enough to discuss if they have breast cancer symptoms
and 4 people said for social superstition women are not comfortable talking about their symptoms
with family. So the result shows Bangladeshi families are conservative so that they are not
comfortable to share their problem with family 
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          CONCLUSION: As a result of the survey we see that most of the people thought that Bangladeshi
women are not comfortable enough towards their family so that they can share their symptoms with
them.

INTRODUCTION: This pie chart shows what percentage of people know how to test breast cancer’s
primary symptoms.

          FINDINGS: From the survey 60% of people know some of the technics to major breast cancer primary
symptoms,5% people of them know most of the technic to major breast cancer primary symptoms
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and 35 % of people do not know how to major breast cancer primary symptoms. In numbers from 20
people 12 people know a few of them,7 people do not know any of them and 1 person knows most of
them. So some of them knowing people rate are higher than not knowing and most of them knowing
people.

          CONCLUSION: From this survey, we can say that a lot of people do not know how to major breast
cancer primary symptoms and those who know they do not know most of them.
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INTRODUCTION: The pie chart illustrate what people think about medical facilities Bangladesh offer
for breast cancer.

           FINDINGS: The survey shows that 55% of people think medical facilities for breast cancer are not good
enough, 40% of people think medical facilities for breast cancer are good in the city but not in the
rural area and 5% of people think there is a proper treatment for breast cancer. Now if we convert it
in number from 20 people 11 people think the medical facilities for breast cancer is not good
enough,8 people think medical facilities for breast cancer are good in the city but not good in the
rural area and one people think medical facilities are good enough. So the result shows that most
people think there are not proper breast cancer treatment and a majority present say in the rural
area medical facilities are not good to compare the city. 

          CONCLUSION: Survey report shows people choose medical facilities is not good is higher than the
other two but rural facilities are low compare to the city also high.
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INTRODUCTION: The pie chart illustrate what people think about what kind of activity will help to aware
people of breast cancer.

          FINDINGS: The survey shows that 60% of people think using mass media to aware people of breast
cancer,35% of people think organizing seminars about breast cancer awareness can help people to
aware of it and 5% of people go for using billboards to aware people about breast cancer. Now if we
convert it in number from 20 people 12 people think using mass media to aware people about breast
cancer,7 people think organizing seminar about breast cancer awareness can help people to aware of
it and 1 person go for using billboard to aware people about breast cancer. So the result shows that
most people think using mass media to aware people about breast cancer and a majority present say
organizing seminar also help people to aware people about breast cancer.
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          CONCLUSION: Survey report shows people choose using mass media to aware people about breast
cancer is higher than the other two but organizing seminars is also high.

Recommendations

For Question Number 1

Survey results show that majority of people (90%) know what is breast cancer. So majority have
a basic idea about breast cancer which is significantly good.

For Question Number 2

In this survey question I tried to figure out how many people know that breast cancer can be
affected man women both but the majority of people (70%) choose only women are affected by
breast cancer but the truth is “Most breast cancers (80%) occur in women over the age of 50.
And the older you are, the higher your risk. Men can also get breast cancer, but this is
rare.”[ CITATION Bre20 \l 1033 ]. “The most significant risk factors for breast cancer are sex (being
 18

a woman) and age (growing older).”[ CITATION Bre201 \l 1033 ]. So it is clear that man can also be
affected by breast cancer.

For Question Number 3

         In 3rd question, I asked for how many people know the symptoms of breast cancer where the majority
(50%) choose they know some of them which are not satisfying result because breast cancer is a
serious issue because “In Bangladesh, the rate of breast cancer occurrence is estimated to be 22.5 per
100000 females of all ages; In case of Bangladeshi women, aged between 15-44 years, breast cancer
has the highest prevalence 19.3 per 100000 compared to any other type of cancer”. [ CITATION
Moh15 \l 1033 ] So it is a very sensitive issue so everyone should idea about this 

For Question Number 4

In this question, I tried to find out what is the reason behind the high death rate of breast cancer, and
a majority (60%) people think lack of awareness is the main reason behind high death rate and it is
true.” In Bangladesh the rate of breast cancer occurrence is estimated to be 22.5 per 100000 females
of all ages; In the case of Bangladeshi women, aged between 15-44 years, breast cancer has the
highest prevalence 19.3 per 100000 compared to any other type of cancer. Cervical cancer causes in
second for this group at 12.4 per 100000”.[ CITATION Moh15 \l 1033 ] However, this incident rate grows
 19

up day to day due to unawareness of the people” So it is clear that the main reason behind higher
death rate is unawareness.

For Question Number 4

Bangladeshi women are not aware of breast cancer this the line I asked for how many people agreed
or disagreed with this point and the majority (70%) choses they agree with this point and it is true
that Bangladeshi women are not aware of breast cancer. “Even though breast cancer is a leading
cause of death in Bangladesh, many women are completely unaware of their illness because of social
stigma attached to sexual organs”.[ CITATION Kam18 \l 1033 ]At that point, it is clear that there is a lack
of awareness there is a need to increase awareness among people.

For Question Number 5

In this question, I tried to find out why women in our society tried to hide if they have symptoms of
breast cancer and the majority (80%) people said that Bangladeshi women are not comfortable
enough to discuss it with family. It is a good point. We know Bangladeshi families are conservative
and family members are not comfortable enough to talk about those things with family members. ”
The study found that breast problems and their treatment put significant resource and emotional
strains on the family. Furthermore, over a third of women in this study reported abuse of some kind,
with emotional abuse, neglect, and abandonment being the most frequently reported” [ CITATION
Hea16 \l 1033 ]. My suggestion is the family environment should be more flexible so that anyone can
share their problem without hesitation.

For Question Number 6

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In 6th question, I tried to figure out why Bangladeshi women are not aware of breast cancer.
Surprisingly a majority number of people (55%) think less scope for gaining knowledge about breast
cancer is the reason behind not aware of breast cancer. If we see “Some 12,764 new breast cancer
patients are detected every year while the number of deaths from breast cancer is 6,846, IARC
said.”[ CITATION Kam18 \l 1033 ]it is very alarming for any country but there is not enough scope so
that people can know about it. So my suggestion will be there should take some steps to plan how to
make more scope so that people can know it more easily.

For Question Number 7

  In the 7th survey question, I ask how many people know how to test breast cancer primary symptoms
where 60% people said they can know some of them. I think this number is not satisfying because it is
very important that everyone should have an idea about this.

For Question Number 9

In 9th question, I tried to find out what kind of medical facility Bangladesh offer for breast cancer and
55% of people said the medical facilities for breast cancer are not good enough. It is true that
Bangladesh does not have the proper medical infrastructure and it is the main reason behind the bad
medical facility 

For Question Number 10

In this question, I tried to figure out What kind of activity will help to aware people for breast cancer
and the majority said Using mass media to aware people about breast cancer and it is a very good
point because nowadays the internet is everywhere and it is easy to reach people through mass
media. My suggestion also same that though mass media can aware people about breast cancer.
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”October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the
disease.”[ CITATION Nat19 \l 1033 ]

Conclusion
“Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide and the second most common
cancer overall.”[ CITATION Bre202 \l 1033 ] So it is a serious matter and everyone should aware of
breast cancer. Breast cancer awareness is a mandatory thing nowadays. Through this research
we find out many possible things and some possible solutions also come up. Mass media help at
that point by using mass media we can rich to more people. My recommendation will be people
have to more concerned about this issue and make some effective steps.
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 i

Bibliography

National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. . (2019, September 30). Breast Cancer Awareness Month. .
Retrieved from National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. :
https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month

American Cancer Society. (n.d.). How Common Is Breast Cancer? Retrieved from American Cancer
Society: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/about/how-common-is-breast-
cancer.html

Breast Cancer Now. (2020, March 19). What is breast cancer? Retrieved from Breast Cancer Now:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AzB61BFtoKiFmezggRH5NtZfoKNhyoSz8fQjkN_JyW4/edi
t

Breast Cancer Research Foundation . (2020, Julay 29). Breast Cancer Statistics And Resources. Retrieved
from Breast Cancer Research Foundation : https://www.bcrf.org/breast-cancer-statistics-and-
resources

Breastcancer.org. (2020, June 25). U.S. Breast Cancer Statistics. Retrieved from Breastcancer.org :
https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand_bc/statistics.com

Forazy, M. A. (2015, Octobor 7). Incidence of breast cancer in Bangladesh. Retrieved from Lomgdom:
https://www.longdom.org/proceedings/incidence-of-breast-cancer-in-bangladesh-5168.html

Hasan, K. (2018, Octobor 27). Social taboo leading cause for unchecked breast cancer in Bangladesh.
Retrieved from Dhaka Tribiute:
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/event/2018/10/27/social-taboo-leading-cause-for-
unchecked-breast-cancer-in-bangladesh

Steiness, H. L. (2016, March). Breast Cancer Care-Seeking Behavior in Rural BangladeshThe Role of
Stigma, Gender Identity, and ViolenceAgainst Women. Retrieved from
https://repository.asu.edu/attachments/170490/content/Steiness_asu_0010E_15981.pdf
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Appendix:
Q-1. Do you know about breast cancer?
a) Yes
b) No
Q-2. Who affected by breast cancer?
a) Women
b) Men
c)Men and Women
Q-3. Do you know the symptoms of breast cancer?
a) I know most of them
b) I know few of them
c)I don't know
Q-4. What is the main reason behind the high death rate of breast cancer in Bangladesh?
a) Lack of awareness
b) Lack of medical facilities
c)Lack of communication with family and friends about breast cancer
Q-5. Bangladeshi women are not aware of breast cancer
a) Strongly disagree
b) Disagree
c)Agree
Q-6. Why women in our society tried to hide if they have symptoms of breast cancer?
a) They are not comfortable enough to discuss it with family
b) They do not have any idea about it
c)For social superstition
Q-7. Why Bangladeshi women are not aware of breast cancer?
a) Because the literacy rate is low
b) less scope for gaining knowledge about breast cancer
c)The social stigma attached to sexual organs
Q-8. Do you know how to test breast cancer primary symptoms at home?
a) I know some of them
b) I do not have any idea
c)I know most of them
Q-9. What kind of medical facility Bangladesh offer for breast cancer?
a) There are proper medical facilities
b) The medical facilities are not good enough
c)Medical facilities are good in the city but not in the rural area
Q-10. What kind of activity will help to aware people of breast cancer?
a) Organize seminar about breast cancer awareness
b) Using mass media to aware people about breast cancer
c)Using billboard to aware people about breast cancer