Assessment of Female Nursing Students knowledge and practice about Breast Self-Examination in Mosul University

Background and aim: Breast self-examination is a screening method and valuable tool used in an attempt to detect early breast cancer among women. The study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and practice of nursing female students about breast self-examination in Mosul university. Materials and method: A descriptive study design was adopted in the study. A systemic random sample of 100 female nursing student were selected in this descriptive study, they collected as25 student from each of the under graduated teaching classes , the study conducted in a period from October 2017 to the end of march 2018. Data were collected by using a questionnaire constructed to meet the study objective, it is consisted from five parts, the first one concerned with socio demographic data, second part represent personal history of the participants, third part reflect knowledge and practice of them about breast self-examination that reflect their awareness toward this subject, fourth part identify the source of their knowledge and practice, last part demonstrate the main barriers and limitations caused failure in conducting this examination. Results: The study founded that 46% of the sample were at 20- 21years old, 91% of them from urban residence, about 66% of the sample having healthy nutritional habits, history of hormonal and menstrual disturbance was found among 30% of the sample, about 73% of female nursing students aware of breast cancer risk that represented by their knowledge about breast self-examination, but only 23% of them conducting the examination regularly, this is due to their feeling of wellness and also because of absence of obligation in conducting the examination. Conclusion: the majority of study sample were from (20-21) age group, with urban residence Two third of the sample having healthy balance diet, while about one third of sample experience hormonal and menstrual disturbance. Recommendation The study recommend for improvement of the practical aspects of breast self-examination via improvement of the teaching curriculum and through mass media Key Words : Breast self-examination, knowledge ,practice , Breast cancer