Breast Cancer

Knowledge and perception of its treatment among medical students at a university in Ciudad del Este

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is the leading cause of oncological death among women worldwide. The knowledge of future doctors about this pathology and its comprehensive management is vital for early detection. Objective: To determine the level of knowledge about breast cancer and the perception of the therapeutic pathway among third-year medical students at the Universidad Privada del Este (UPE), Ciudad del Este campus. Materials and Methods: Observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study conducted in April 2024. A digital ad hoc questionnaire validated by experts was applied to 200 medical students selected by convenience sampling. Sociodemographic variables, exposure to close cases, knowledge of the disease, and perception of the care process were evaluated. The protocol was approved by the institutional ethics committee. Results: 79.0% of participants were women; among them, 84.0% were between 18-24 years old. 85.5% of the students reported knowing a patient with breast cancer. A dependence on social support was observed: 98.8% of patients attended treatment accompanied (by family members/caregivers). 74.3% of the students identified alopecia and 83.6% identified mastectomy as key milestones of treatment. Conclusion: The students possess a high level of awareness of the pathology derived from close experiences with patients. A clear perception of systemic barriers and the critical need for support networks is evident, suggesting that medical training should reinforce not only clinical aspects but also the psychosocial approach.