AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF BREAST CANCER CAMPAIGN AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS OF FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC OFFA

Breast cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women globally, with particularly dire outcomes in developing countries like Nigeria due to late detection and inadequate awareness. This study investigates the awareness and knowledge of breast cancer campaigns among female students at the Federal Polytechnic Offa. Using a survey research design, data was collected from 120 female students through structured questionnaires. The findings reveal that while 67% of respondents were aware of breast cancer, only 34% had participated in health education programs, and knowledge of early detection methods, such as Breast Self-Examination (BSE), was limited to 38%. Social media emerged as the primary source of awareness (40%, highlighting its potential as a medium for health education. Despite the low participation in screening (20%) and limited encounters with campus campaigns (27%), 86% of respondents expressed willingness to engage in future awareness initiatives. The study concludes that while general awareness exists, there are significant gaps in practical knowledge and preventive practices. It recommends integrating structured health education programs, leveraging social media, and increasing outreach by healthcare professionals to enhance breast cancer awareness and promote early detection practices among students. Keywords: Breast Cancer Awareness, Female Students, Breast Self-Examination, Health Campaigns.