Indian Journal of Preventive & Social Medicine
Breast Self-Examination Practices in Rural India: A Study on Early Breast Cancer Detection
By Ramesh Kumar Sangwan, Madhu Nagla, G.S. Toteja and 3 others.
Abstract
Background
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in India, with a growing burden in rural areas due to limited awareness, cultural beliefs, and poor access to timely care. Breast Self-Examination (BSE), a low-cost and non-invasive method, supports early detection, particularly in low-resource settings. However, many women do not seek care even after receiving BSE training.
Objectives
To explore the barriers and facilitators influencing healthcare-seeking behaviour among suspected breast cancer cases in rural Rajasthan following a large-scale BSE awareness and training program. Methodology: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted in three rural districts of Rajasthan (Pali, Jodhpur, and Jalore) as part of a large-scale breast cancer awareness and BSE training program. Thirteen suspected breast cancer cases who did not seek timely care after program follow-up were purposively selected for in-depth interviews. Data were collected using a semi-structured guide, transcribed, translated, and thematically analysed using NVivo 13 following the Braun and Clarke framework.