الفهرس 
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Abstract
Breast cancer occupies one of the most important cancer types in the world .It is considered the most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women. So it has been considered as a major health problem in females
Early detection of breast cancer can improve the chance for effective treatment resulting in improving the survival rate and quality of life .Health awareness and screening by the following triad (BSE, CBE and mammography) are the main corners for early detection.BSE is simple, non invasive and inexpensive method of screening guiding the women to be aware of the normal appearance of their breasts and easily detect any abnormality. So it is important to empower women with information about breast cancer and the correct performance of BSE.
This was an interventional study was carried out during the period from 2015 to 2016 and practical part took 5 months from September 2015 to January 2016
The main aim of the study was improving awareness towards breast cancer and decreasing morbidity and mortality of breast cancer among women through the following objectives 1-To assess preliminary knowledge, attitude and practice of women about breast cancer. 2-To apply health education session about breast cancer and breast self-examination. 3-To evaluate knowledge, attitude and practice after health education.
The target studied group was a random sample of 100 women in child bearing period (15-49) years old attending MCH unit in Taha-Elmarg village in Diyarb Negm district at El-Sharkia Governorate. A pilot study was made before actual field study to test the validity of the study tools.
The practical part of this study was conducted in 3 phases.
1-PhaseI (pre intervention): which was carried out in one month during which we collected data to assess preliminary knowledge, attitude and practice of women about breast cancer using an interview questionnaire and assess the performance of BSE steps using an observational checklist .
2-Phase II(Intervention):the intervention included health education sessions which lasted 30 minutes with the women who participated in the previous phase . Health education session included giving simple, clear ,concise and correct message about breast cancer and explaining correct steps of BSE .Distribution of brochures and using posters were done during the intervention to better clarify the session and make the participants more interested and empowered in this subject .
PhaseIII (Post intervention): After 3 months of intervention, the same data as pre intervention were collected using the same tools i.e. to reassess knowledge, attitude and practice towards breast cancer.
Our collected data in this study was analyzed by computer using SPSS version 18.the results were considered significant when the p-value was less than 0.05.
Results
The mean age of our study group was (35.63±7.42). More than half (68%) had enough income and were of middle social class. They depended on audiovisual message as a main source of health information (80%) and only (26%) used governmental health services.
There was statistical significant improvement before and after the intervention regarding the studied sample total knowledge about breast cancer (risk factors, symptoms and signs and screening methods). The mean of total knowledge score increased from (58.73 ± 4.95 to 78.31 ± 5.38).
Also there was statistical significant improvement before and after the intervention regarding positive attitude towards breast cancer ,the mean of the total positive attitude score changed from (9.21± 2.91 to 14.77± 1.42) .
The percentage of women who practiced BSE increased from (32%) pre -intervention to (71%) post-intervention. This made statistical significant difference in practice of BSE before and after intervention.
In this study the main causes not to practice BSE pre-intervention were absence of breast complaints (36.8%) followed by lack of information(29.4%) and the main motive to practice BSE post-intervention was fear from breast cancer(56.3%).
Also there was statistical significant improvement before and after the intervention regarding performance of all BSE steps.
There was a statistical significant relation between knowledge change before and after intervention and some sociodemographic characters (working status and the income) but there was no statistical significant relation between knowledge change and other sociodemographic characters like age groups, different education levels and various social class.
Also there was a statistical significant relation between attitude change and socio demographic characters.
The recommendations:
1. Provision of comprehensive similar health education program targeting breast cancer in the PHC.
2. Enhancement of the role of health care providers in raising awareness of the population about advantages and methods of early detection.
3. Promotion of the role of mass media in improving knowledge of the population about breast cancer .
4. Encouragement of further comprehensive studies to detect if any association present between socio-demographic characteristics and the level of knowledge about breast cancer.