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Table 3 Women’s Knowledge on breast cancer identity and causes (n = 404)

From: Health beliefs, illness perceptions and determinants of breast screening uptake in Malta: a cross-sectional survey

Breast cancer identity scores, n (%)

 

Disagree/Strongly Disagree

Undecided

Agree/Strongly Agree

The presence of a lump or thickening in the breast

5 (1.2)

26 (6.4)

373 (92.3)

Nipple discharge

3 (0.7)

54 (13.4)

347 (85.9)

Sudden nipple retraction

2 (0.5)

64 (15.8)

338 (83.7)

Change in shape or appearance of the nipple

2 (0.5)

29 (7.2)

373 (92.3)

Breast swelling, dimpling, redness or soreness of the skin

3 (0.7)

66 (16.3)

335 (82.9)

Skin changes of the breast

3 (0.7)

67 (16.6)

334 (82.7)

A sudden change in breast size

5 (1.2)

52 (12.9)

347 (85.9)

Aching breasts

40 (9.9)

114 (28.2)

250 (61.9)

Causes of breast cancer scores, n (%)

 

Disagree/Strongly Disagree

Undecided

Agree/Strongly Agree

Stress or worry

152 (37.6)

95 (23.5)

157 (38.9)

Your mental attitude

262 (64.9)

94 (23.3)

48 (11.8)

Family problems or worries

171 (42.3)

82 (20.3)

151 (37.4)

Overwork

281 (69.6)

59 (14.6)

64 (15.8)

Your emotional state

257 (63.6)

76 (18.8)

71 (17.6)

Your personality

262 (64.9)

94 (23.3)

48 (11.8)

Hereditary - it runs in the family

5 (1.2)

10 (2.5)

389 (96.3)

Diet or eating habits

121 (30.0)

61 (15.1)

222 (55.0)

Poor medical care in the past

98 (24.3)

90 (22.3)

216 (53.4)

Your own behaviour

174 (43.1)

172 (42.6)

58 (14.3)

Ageing

142 (35.1)

63 (15.6)

199 (49.3)

Smoking

47 (11.6)

39 (9.7)

318 (78.7)

Alcohol

80 (19.8)

60 (14.9)

264 (65.3)

A germ or virus

124 (30.7)

124 (30.7)

156 (38.6)

Pollution in the environment

65 (16.1)

49 (12.1)

290 (71.8)

Altered immunity

43 (10.6)

69 (17.1)

292 (72.3)

Chance or bad luck

205 (50.7)

37 (9.2)

162 (40.1)

Accident or injury

158 (39.1)

54 (13.4)

192 (47.5)