Publication:

A study on nutrition, knowledge, attitude and practice towards breast cancer prevention among female college going students in Lucknow City

Background Breast cancer (BC) is common in Indian women, often detected late due to low awareness. BC risk is influenced by obesity, inactivity, lifestyle changes including weight management and Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, may improve outcomes for survivors. Diet plays a measurable role in BC prevention, to assess knowledge, attitude, practice, and nutrition regarding BC and examine dietary habits and socio-demographic influences among female college students.

Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 145 female students from IT college of Lucknow. A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the participants' knowledge, attitude, practice (KAP) and nutrition-related BC prevention. A total of 137 students completed the survey.

Results The results indicate a strong association between age and the performance of breast self-examination (p=0.000). Education significantly correlates with fruit consumption (p=0.0000) and antioxidant intake (p=0.0032). A positive correlation exists between family income and belief in family history affecting BC risk (p=0.000). Additionally, family income significantly influences fruit consumption frequency (p=0.020) and awareness of breast self-examination (p=0.000), emphasizing the impact of socioeconomic factors on BC prevention practices.

Conclusions In conclusion, nutrition KAP regarding BC prevention is influenced by factors like age, field of study, and family history. While increasing knowledge alone is insufficient for behavior change, it remains essential. Public health and nutrition education programs in institutions can enhance knowledge, improve food habits, and reduce BC risk.