Awareness of Male Breast Cancer among Male Undergraduate Students in Abia State University, Uturu

Abstract

Background: Male Breast Cancer (MBC) is a rare but serious malignancy often diagnosed at advanced stages due to a profound lack of awareness. In Nigeria, MBC remains understudied, particularly among young male populations in tertiary institutions. Objective: This study assessed the awareness, knowledge, and perceptions of MBC among male undergraduate students at Abia State University, Uturu, and examined socio-demographic and family factors influencing awareness. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 male undergraduate students selected from the Faculties of Engineering and Pharmacy using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Results: The majority of respondents (58.6%) had never heard of MBC. Among the 41.4% who were aware, social media (56.6%) was the primary source of information. Among the 159 respondents who were aware of MBC, 93.7% (n=149) had low knowledge, 6.3% (n=10) had moderate knowledge, and none had high knowledge. A painless lump was the most recognised symptom (86.8%), while surgery was the most recognised treatment (93.1%). Regarding perceptions, only 33.1% correctly identified a breast lump as a sign requiring medical attention, while lack of knowledge (37.0%) and fear or embarrassment (31.5%) were identified as major barriers to help-seeking. Pocket money (p=0.029), family history of cancer (p=0.002), and type of breast cancer in the family (p=0.004) showed significant associations with awareness. Conclusion: Awareness and knowledge of MBC among male undergraduates are low. The findings support targeted health education interventions, particularly through social media platforms and the integration of MBC content into university curricula.