Year: 2026 | Month: May | Volume: 13 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 260-278
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260522
Exploring Awareness on Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Screening Challenges of Breast Cancer among Married Women in Selected Districts of West Bengal
Madhurima Dutta1, Dr. Rupa Biswas2
1Student, Department of Social Work, St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata.
2Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata.
Corresponding Author: Madhurima Dutta
ABSTRACT
Background: Breast cancer is one of the leading and concerning cancer types among women. In India, due to poor awareness level among women, breast cancer mortality is high. This study aims to investigate married women’s awareness on risk factors, symptoms of breast cancer and various factors (socio-demographic, health-system and access factors, cultural factors, health status and personal history, psychological factors) that influence breast cancer screening for married women in selected districts of West Bengal.
Methods: The study used a quantitative approach. The study was carried out in the districts of Kolkata and Howrah in West Bengal. The research design was descriptive. The sample size was 141. 69 respondents were chosen from Kolkata, and 72 respondents were chosen from Howrah. Only married women aged between 18 and 49 years and has not been going through breast cancer treatment were chosen for this study.
Results: The awareness of breast cancer, including symptoms, causes, and risk factors among the married women were poor, intersecting with their level of education, income, and age. Breast cancer screening among married women has been impacted by socio-demographic, health system, cultural factors, health status and personal history. Only 15% respondents were aware of breast cancer screening; however, the performance of breast cancer screening was 12%, indicating poor awareness and participation in breast cancer screening. The situation of Kolkata is better in terms of awareness of breast cancer and breast cancer screening than in the Howrah.
Conclusion: This study recommends holistic public health policies, district-specific regional interventions in Kolkata and Howrah, and strengthened community-based awareness programs and health-education initiatives to address the gaps in knowledge and promote early detection and screening practices among married women.
Keywords: Breast Cancer, Married Women, Breast Cancer Screening
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