WORK-RELATED STRESS AND BREAST CANCER RISK AMONG WOMEN IN CORPORATE ORGANIZATIONS IN EKITI STATE

This study examines the relationship between work-related stress and women’s perception of breast cancer risk in corporate organizations within Ekiti State, Nigeria. Using a mixed-methods design that combined survey data with in-depth interviews, the research explored both quantitative associations and qualitative experiences. Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses were conducted to test predictive relationships among stress variables and breast cancer risk perception. Guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM), results revealed that workload, emotional exhaustion, and role conflict significantly predicted breast cancer risk perception (R² = 0.54, p < 0.001). Qualitative narratives complemented statistical results, highlighting that long working hours, emotional fatigue, and lack of self-care shaped how women perceived and responded to health threats. The study recommends that corporate organizations adopt gender-sensitive stress management strategies and workplace health promotion policies to reduce stress-related vulnerabilities among women.