A Study of Nigerian Undergraduate Perception of Breast Lump
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The main objective of the study is to investigate undergraduate student perception of breast lump in Ajayi crowder university. But to aid the successful completion of the study, the researcher intends to achieve the following specific objective;
- To investigate the health effect of breast lump among Nigerian undergraduate female student
- To examine the dangers of breast lump on the health of Nigerian undergraduate student
- To investigate if there is any relationship between breast lump and breast cancer
- To examine if lump in the breast is a symptoms of breast cancer among female student
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
Over her lifetime, a woman can encounter a broad variety of breast conditions. These include normal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle as well as several types of benign lumps. What they have in common is that they are not cancer. Even for breast lumps that require a biopsy, some 90 percent prove to be benign. Each breast has 15 to 20 sections, called lobes, each with many small lobules. The lobules end in dozens of tiny bulbs that can produce milk. Lobes, lobules, and bulbs are all linked to thin tubes called ducts. These ducts lead to the nipple, which is centered in a dark area of skin called the areola. The spaces between the lobules and ducts are filled with fat. There are no muscles in the breast, but muscles lie under each breast and cover the ribs. These normal features can sometimes make the breasts feel lumpy, especially in women who are thin or who have small breasts. In addition, from the time a girl begins to menstruate, her breasts undergo regular changes each month around the time of menses. Eventually, about half of all women will experience symptoms such as lumps, pain, or nipple discharge. Generally these disappear with menopause. Some studies show that the chances of developing benign breast changes are higher for a woman who has never had children, has irregular menstrual cycles, or has a family history of breast cancer. Benign breast conditions are less common among women who take birth control pills or who are overweight. Because they generally involve the glandular tissues of the breast, benign breast conditions are more of a problem for women of childbearing age, who have more glandular breasts.
TYPES OF BENIGN BREAST CHANGES
Generalized breast lumpiness is known by several names, including fibrocystic breast changes and benign breast changes. Such lumpiness, which is sometimes described as “ropy” or “granular,” can often be felt in the area around the nipple and areola and in the upper-outer part of the breast. Such lumpiness many become more obvious as a woman approaches middle age and the milk-producing glandular tissue of her breasts increasingly gives way to soft, fatty tissue. Unless she is taking replacement hormones, this type of lumpiness generally goes away after menopause. The menstrual cycle also brings cyclic breast changes. Many women experience swelling, tenderness, and pain before and sometimes during their periods. At the same time, one or more lumps or a feeling of increased lumpiness many develop because of extra fluid collecting in the breast tissue. These lumps normally go away by the end of the period. During pregnancy, the milk-producing glands become swollen and the breasts may feel lumpier than usual. Although very uncommon, breast cancer has been diagnosed during pregnancy. If you have any questions about how your breasts feel or look, talk to your doctor. Solitary Lumps Benign breast conditions also include several types of distinct, solitary lumps. Such lumps, which can appear at any time, may be large or small, soft or rubbery, fluid-filled or solid. Fibroadenomas are solid and round benign tumors that are made up of both structural (fibro) and glandular (adenoma) tissues. Usually, these lumps are painless and found by the woman herself. They feel rubbery and can easily be moved around.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter deals with the method used in collecting data required in carrying out this research work it explains the procedures that were followed and the instrument used in collecting data.
SOURCES OF DATA COLLECTION
Data were collected from two main sources namely
-Primary source and
-secondary source
primary source: These are materials of statistical investigation, which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment, the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary data: These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher in interested in getting information from for the study Nigerian undergraduate perception of breast lump. 200 student of crowder university was selected randomly as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY CONCLUSION RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to investigate undergraduate student perception of breast lump.
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given.
In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of breast lump among female undergraduate student of Ajayi crowder university.
Summary
Majority of the respondents have heard about breast lump and think breast lump is caused mainly by oral contraceptives, manifest mainly with change or discharge from the nipple. The respondents have a positive attitude towards BSE and majority of them have examined their breasts, some days before or after menstruation and some, anytime they felt like. Most of them engage in faulty practices of breast self-examination BSE and they identified forgetfulness, procrastination, laziness, time, fear of discovering lump, no trust in their ability to perform it and anxiety as reasons for not practicing BSE as they should. Despite the positive knowledge and attitude towards BSE, its practice was faulty among these undergraduates. In order to function as effective promoters of breast cancer control through early detection, they must possess not only the relevant knowledge but the appropriate attitude and practice concerning the disease and its early detection. They should adopt such preventive screening procedures and act as role models for the public.
Conclusion
The appropriate management of a breast lump requires the use of a medical history, examination and investigations to establish a likely diagnosis. While common, benign breast diseases should always be investigated thoroughly until breast cancer can be confidently excluded.
The “triple test” is a combination of physical examination, breast imaging (usually mammography) and biopsy (FNA or CNB) to calculate a triple test score. Triple test scores can reliably separate benign from malignant causes of breast lumps. Triple testing is essential for women with a breast lump. Once a breast lump is confirmed as benign, specific treatment may not be necessary. Ongoing surveillance of a breast lump is recommended so any changes in the lump can be detected as early as possible. If a breast lump is confirmed as showing malignant features, the most appropriate treatment depends on the degree of local invasion and whether the cancerous cells have spread to other areas of the body. This generally requires the use of other investigations, such as a CT or lymph node biopsy
Recommendations
Haven completed the study, the researcher recommend that
- Breast self-examination should be carried out regularly female student in the institution
- Awareness programs should be organized by the institution to sensitize the student on the dangers of breast lump
Reference
- Adebamowo CA, Ajayi OO (2000). Breast Cancer in Nigeria West African J. Med., 19: 179-191.
- Akhigbe OA, Omuemu VO (2009). Knowledge, attitudes and practice of breast cancer screening among female health workers in a Nigerian urban city. BMC Cancer, 9:203doi:10.1186/1471-2407-9-203.
- Alkhasawneh IM (2007). Knowledge and practice of breast cancer screening among Jordanian nurses.) Oncol. Nurs. Forum, 34(6): 1211-1217.
- Bassey RB, Nicholas KI, Modele AO, Adekunle AA, Adebayo TO (2011). Knowledge, attitude and practice of breast self-examination among nursing students in Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Niger. Educ. Res., 2(6): 1232-1236.
- Bastani R, Maxwell EA, Carbonari J, Rozelle R, Baxter J, Vernon S (1994). Breast cancer knowledge, attitudes and behaviours: A comparison of Rural Health and non-health workers. Cancer Epidem Biomar., 3: 77-85.
