`It usually happens in older women': Young women's perceptions about breast cancer

Objective The aim of the current study was to explore young women's perceptions of breast cancer.

Design This study used a qualitative descriptive paradigm. Participants were required to participate in a one-hour, tape-recorded, semi-structured interview. Data obtained were then coded and analysed using thematic analysis.

Method A convenience sample of six young women participated in the study. Participants were all in their early twenties, with most being 21 years of age. All were university students who were studying a range of courses.

Results The young women had very low levels of knowledge and understanding about breast cancer. Although they identified it was a serious illness, they were not aware of much else about the disease except for treatments. They could only identify two main risk factors, age and family history, and believed in common myths such as getting hit in the breast causing breast cancer. Overall, they did not feel that breast cancer was something that they needed to be concerned about, although they did perceive the need for more age appropriate breast health information to be made available to young women.

Conclusions All women need to be educated about breast cancer and to learn early intervention techniques such as breast self examination at an early age. Lack of knowledge about breast cancer and breast cancer risk may lead to inaccurate perceptions of the disease and a lack of utilization of early detection techniques. Low levels of knowledge and a lack of perceived risk coupled with the inundation of breast cancer information that focuses on older women reinforces the belief that young women are not at risk and do not need to be aware of breast cancer. Furthermore, these data strongly support the need for breast health and breast cancer education in young women.