Knowledge and Practice Related to Breast Self-Examination Among Female Nursing Students In UNIMAS: A Cross-Sectional Study
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UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SARAWAK
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Breast Self-Examination (BSE) is a simple, cost-effective method for early detection of breast cancer, especially important for young women. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and practice related to BSE among female nursing students in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and to examine the relationship between the two variables. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, and data were collected from 145 female nursing students using a structured, self-administered questionnaire that included sections on knowledge and practice. The findings revealed that 69.0% of the students had a good level of knowledge, while 24.8% had a fair level and only 6.2% had poor knowledge. In terms of practice, 61.4% of the students demonstrated a high level of practice, 5.5% had moderate practice, and 33.1% had poor practice. A significant positive correlation was found between knowledge and practice (rs = .413, p < .001), indicating that higher knowledge was associated with better practice. However, despite the overall good knowledge, many students lacked confidence or proper technique in performing BSE. Some reported emotional barriers such as fear, embarrassment, or the belief that they were not at risk. These results suggest that while theoretical knowledge is relatively strong among nursing students, consistent and correct practice still requires improvement. More practical training, hands-on workshops, and skills-based assessments should be integrated into the nursing curriculum. Empowering students with both knowledge and confidence in performing BSE can enhance their role as future health educators and contribute to early breast cancer detection efforts.