Abstract
ABSTRACT: Background: Recent global cancer statistics indicate rising global incidence of breast cancer and the increase is occurring at a faster rate in developing countries. Health behavior may be influenced by level of awareness about breast cancer. Study aimed to assess the awareness level of BC symptoms among women, compare the awareness level between the two major areas in Libya and identify the factors associated with good awareness of BC symptoms. Methods: A crosssectional community- based among rural women, Tripoli, Libya in the period from 1st of January to March 2022. A total of 100 women were randomly included in the study. A questionnaire included socio-demographic characteristics and information related to their knowledge about breast cancer The study population was women in western Libya aged 18 years and over. Results: a total of100 women who were attending at Tripoli University Hospital, aged from 18-65 years were included in the study and the majority of women who have a good knowledge were 40 years and over and their percent were 89%. related the married women were the largest group among the study member and their percentage was 83% and the western region from Tripoli city was the largest percentage and represents 83% the majority of responds which are educated 16 years and more and their percentage over 70% and the lowest percent was6 years and it was 2%. The most of cases reported yes they aware know symptoms and the percentage was (52%). The source of knowledge about breast cancer for Libyan women were from TV and internet and their percentage 53%,31% respectively. Conclusions: The factors associated with good awareness included being 40 years or older, more than 16 years educated were a high awareness for BC. Future educational interventions aiming to raise BC awareness should be tailored to the needs of women and Primary prevention and early detection awareness should be the first step for prevention of breast cancer in Tripoli, Libya. Key words: Breast cancer, knowledge, Awareness- screening, women- Libya.