Awareness Does not Ensure Action: Breast Cancer Screening Practices among Healthcare Professionals in Bangladesh

Background: Breast cancer is a major public-health concern worldwide and its burden is increasing in low- and middle-income countries, including Bangladesh. Healthcare professionals play a key role in breast cancer awareness and early detection; however, their own screening practices remain insufficiently explored. Aim of the study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and personal breast cancer screening practices among healthcare professionals at Ahsania Mission Cancer & General Hospital, and to identify gaps between awareness and practice.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 134 healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, patient care assistants, and cleaners. Data were collected using a structured, pre-tested questionnaire through convenience sampling. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed, and findings were presented as frequencies and percentages.

Results: Among the participants, nurses constituted 47.8% and doctors 36.6%. Most respondents (82.8%) correctly identified common breast cancer warning signs, and 93.3% believed that cancer is a curable disease. Breast self-examination (BSE) was practiced by 69.4% of participants, with higher practice rates among doctors (75.5%) and nurses (64.1%). Knowledge of correct BSE steps was highest among doctors (95.9%). However, one-third (33.6%) of respondents did not practice BSE, and 79.9% had never undergone any breast cancer investigation, including ultrasound or mammography. Despite high awareness of risk factors and preventive measures, personal screening practices remained low across all professional groups.

Conclusion: Despite adequate knowledge and positive attitudes toward breast cancer screening, healthcare professionals demonstrated suboptimal personal breast cancer screening practices, highlighting a knowledge–practice gap. This gap highlights the need for profession-specific training and institutional screening programs to promote regular breast cancer screening among healthcare providers and strengthen their role in early detection.