A STATISTICAL STUDY ON WOMEN'S AWARENESS OF BREAST CANCER AND INFLUENCING FACTORS (FROM MALANGAMA GRAMA NILADARI DIVISION IN RATHNAPURA DISTRICT)

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and the third leading cause of cancer deaths. Worldwide, more than one million breast cancer deaths occur annually. The main objective of this study was to analyze the awareness of Sri Lankan women about breast cancer and the factors affecting it. The population of this study was all women aged 20 years or above in the Ratnapura district. A sample of 299 women was selected for this study by stratifying them into age groups in the Malangama Grama Seva Officer Division of the Ratnapura district through stratified random sampling. The required data were collected through a questionnaire prepared in accordance with the objectives of the study and personal interviews. The data were analyzed using descriptive data analysis and structural equation modeling: ‹EMEA0 72% of women were unaware that changes in the shape and size of their breasts could be a symptom of breast cancer. Accordingly, the study concluded that opportunities to increase awareness on breast cancer among the public through the media, social media, and government hospitals should be further expanded.