Impact Of Breast Cancer Awareness Programmes On The Prevention Of Breast Cancer Amongst Nigerian Women

The research focused on evaluating the impact of breast cancer awareness Programmes on the prevention of breast cancer amongst Nigerian women. Five research questions guided the study. A survey method which employed a structured questionnaire was employed for data collection from 400 Edo women. The findings showed the inadequacies that characterized the media campaigns on breast cancer in the Edo State. The result revealed that most women had knowledge of breast cancer but the knowledge was not deep rooted. Consequently, most of the breast cancer programmes that were featured in these media campaigns were found to be infrequent and incomprehensive to engender a positive behaviour change in Edo women in observing their breast self examination(BSE) and clinical breast examination (CBE) believed to save lives and reduce mortality rates, without the support of face – to – face campaign. However, radio was found to be the major source of breast cancer information to Edo women as well as the most effective medium for breast cancer campaign due to its widest reach and the efficiency with which it transcends literacy level of the audience. It is recommended that breast cancer programmes be featured frequently and programmes like drama, radio jingles, television commercials and Internet be added to the available programmes while employment of indigenous language be included in the packaging of the progammes. Finally, face – to –face campaign should complement media campaign to reinforce credibility and clarity of media campaign programmes on breast cancer