Nurses’ Awareness toward Risk Factors of Breast Cancer in Kirkuk City Hospitals

Background and objectives: In women worldwide, breast cancer is the most common can-cer. It is one of the leading causes of cancer death in women, accounting for 15% of all cancer deaths in the female population. In most countries, breast cancer incidence rates are higher than they have ever been at an early age. This study aimed to identify the level of nurses’ awareness towards risk factors of breast cancer. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 341 nurses from different de-partments in three Kirkuk city hospitals (Azadi Teaching Hospital, Kirkuk General Hospital, and Pediatric Hospital) from 25 February to 25 June 2021. A non-probability/convenient sampling technique was utilized to collect data. A socio-demographic characteristics data form and awareness of breast cancer risk factors form were used to collect data through face-to-face interviews. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Scienc-es, version 21, presenting descriptive and inferential statistics comprising frequency, per-centage and chi-square test. Results: Out of the 341 nurses, 44.9% were from Azadi Teaching Hospital, while more than one-third (38.1%) were from Kirkuk General Hospital, and 17% were from Pediatric Hospi-tal. Most of the nurses, 38.4%, were between the ages of 21 and 25, 64.8% were female, and 66.9% were married. About 36.1% of nurses report acceptable level of awareness and 5.9% report being with good level of awareness about risk factors associated with breast cancer. Conclusion: The awareness level of breast cancer risk factors among nurses working in Kirkuk city hospitals was generally high. Younger age was associated with higher level of awareness of risk factors. Regarding to the gender was highly significant differences be-tween the nurses’ awareness of breast cancer risk factors.