Enhancing Breast Cancer Knowledge Through an Educational Program: A Quasi-Experimental Study at Cairo University's National Cancer Institute.

PURPOSE

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent malignancy among women worldwide, with disparities in health care access and educational outreach, especially in low-resource settings. This study evaluates the impact of a structured 3-hour educational program for patients with newly diagnosed BC and their caregivers at the Breast Cancer Comprehensive Center, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental pretest/post-test study was conducted between June and September 2024. Participants included 149 patients and 178 caregivers. The educational program covered BC risk factors, symptoms, diagnostic methods, treatment options, nutritional counseling, and psychological support using audiovisual and interactive techniques in the Colloquial Egyptian dialect. Pre- and postintervention knowledge assessments were conducted using validated questionnaires. Statistical analysis included paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.

RESULTS

The educational program significantly improved knowledge scores across multiple domains (all P < .001). Symptom awareness improved from 5.8 (±1.8) to 7.5 (±0.82), misconception correction from 2.4 (±1.2) to 5.5 (±1.3), nutrition knowledge from 0.6 (±0.8) to 1.8 (±0.4), and self-examination awareness from 0.6 (±0.7) to 1.6 (±0.5). Caregivers' knowledge scores increased from 6.2 (±2.2) to 9.1 (±1.6). In addition, 82.7% of participants had never performed breast self-examinations before the program, and 78.7% of patients were diagnosed coincidentally.

CONCLUSION

The educational program significantly improved BC knowledge among patients and caregivers. These findings highlight the need for structured education to promote earlier diagnosis and informed treatment decisions in low-resource settings.