Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Australian Women's Awareness Of Breast Cancer Symptoms And Responses To Potential Symptoms, Sandra Jones, Parri Gregory, Caroline Nehill, Lance Barrie, Karen Luxford, A. Nelson, Helen Zorbas, Donald Iverson

Don C. Iverson

Poor awareness of breast cancer symptoms has been associated with patient delay in seeking help; thus reduced survival, more aggressive treatment, and fewer treatment choices. The aim of this study was to develop a representative picture of Australian women’s knowledge of symptoms, experienced potential symptoms, and behavioral responses. A general population sample of approximately 3,000 women aged 30–69 completed a telephone survey; results were compared to previous surveys conducted in 1996 and 2003. The most commonly cited potential symptom of breast cancer was a lump in the breast, identified by 86% of respondents (an increase from 75% in 2003). Other …