Knowledge and Beliefs on Female Breast Cancer Among Male Students in a Private University, Malaysia

Background

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Malaysia, accounting for approximately 30% of all newly diagnosed cancers in females. In Malaysia, the lifetime risk is approximately 1 in 20 women — a figure that has been rising over the past two decades due to changing lifestyles, delayed childbearing, and improved diagnostic detection. While breast cancer awareness campaigns have traditionally targeted women, there is growing recognition that men play a critical role in encouraging their partners, mothers, and sisters to seek screening and early treatment.

Male awareness of breast cancer influences household health decisions in multiple ways. Men who understand breast cancer risk factors and screening methods are more likely to support their female family members in seeking mammography, practising breast self-examination, and presenting early with suspicious symptoms. Conversely, male ignorance or fatalistic beliefs about cancer can contribute to diagnostic delay — a persistent problem in Malaysia where many breast cancer cases are detected at advanced stages.

Study Design

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 460 male students at a private university in Selangor, Malaysia. Participants were selected using convenience sampling from across various faculties. The validated questionnaire assessed two main domains: knowledge regarding breast cancer (including risk factors, symptoms, screening methods, and treatment options) and beliefs about the disease (including perceived susceptibility, severity, and barriers to screening).

Knowledge Assessment

The study evaluated male students’ understanding of breast cancer risk factors, warning signs, and available screening modalities. Key knowledge gaps were identified in several areas. Many respondents were unfamiliar with non-lump symptoms of breast cancer, such as skin dimpling, nipple discharge, or changes in breast shape. Understanding of modifiable risk factors — including alcohol consumption, obesity, and hormonal factors — was generally poor.

However, some basic knowledge was well-established: most participants correctly identified that breast cancer is among the most common cancers in women and that early detection improves survival. Knowledge of breast self-examination as a screening method was relatively widespread, though understanding of mammography recommendations was more limited.

Beliefs About Breast Cancer

The beliefs assessment revealed a complex picture. While most respondents acknowledged breast cancer as a serious disease, fatalistic beliefs — such as the notion that cancer is inevitable if it is “meant to happen” — were prevalent. Such beliefs are known barriers to screening behaviour in Malaysian populations. Some respondents held misconceptions about cancer causation, including beliefs that breast cancer could be caused by supernatural forces or emotional trauma rather than biological risk factors.

Interestingly, the study noted demographic variation in beliefs. Students from certain ethnic backgrounds held more traditional beliefs about disease causation, while those with biomedical educational backgrounds demonstrated more evidence-based perspectives. This highlights the importance of culturally sensitive health education that addresses local belief systems without dismissing them.

Implications for Health Promotion

The findings support the expansion of breast cancer awareness programmes to include male audiences. University settings provide an ideal platform for such interventions, as they reach young men at a formative stage when health beliefs and behaviours are being established. Peer education models — where trained student volunteers deliver health information to their peers — have shown promise in similar contexts and may be particularly effective for reaching male university students.

At the policy level, Malaysia’s National Cancer Control Programme should consider integrating male-targeted breast cancer awareness components into its existing framework. Public service announcements, social media campaigns, and workplace health programmes that specifically address men’s role in supporting breast cancer screening among their female family members could complement existing women-focused initiatives.

Limitations

The study’s use of convenience sampling from a single private university limits generalisability to the broader male population. Private university students may have different socioeconomic and educational profiles compared with public university students or the non-university population. The cross-sectional design captures a snapshot but cannot assess how knowledge and beliefs change over time or in response to exposure to health information. Additionally, the study measured self-reported knowledge and beliefs rather than actual behaviour, leaving uncertain whether improved awareness translates into supportive actions.

← Back to MJPHM Homepage