Knowledge about Lung Cancer and Awareness of its Risk Factors among the University Students Jeppu Ashok Kumar1, Jailani Nur Atikah Binti Mohamed2, Kumar Kavitha Ashok3,* 1Head of the Unit Biochemistry, International Medical School, Management and Science University, University drive, Off Persiaran Olaraga, Sekysen 13, Shah Alam 40100, Selangor, Malaysia 2Bachelor Medical Sciences, International Medical School, Management and Science University, University drive, Off Persiaran Olaraga, Sekysen 13, Shah Alam 40100, Selangor, Malaysia 3Head of the unit, Otorhinolaryngology, International Medical School, Management and Science University, University drive, Off Persiaran Olaraga, Sekysen 13, Shah Alam 40100, Selangor, Malaysia *Corresponding Author: Kavitha Ashok Kumar International medical School Management and science University University drive, Off Persiaran Olaraga, Sekysen 13, Shah Alam 40100, Selangor, Malaysia Email: drkavithaent@gmail.com
Online published on 21 February, 2019. Abstract Background Lung cancer is the second most common cause of death due to cancer. In Malaysia, lung cancer accounts for 13.8% of all cancers in males and 3.8% of all cancers in females. Most of the cases are diagnosed after the age of 60 years. The incidence of lung cancer diagnosis is relatively low. A good knowledge and awareness about its risk factors is essential for early detection and prevention. Material and Method Cross-sectional descriptive study includes 246 respondents studying in the university between age 18 and 25 years of age. Opportunistic sampling technique was used. Result Female students exhibited the good knowledge about lung cancer and awareness about its risk factors. The knowledge and awareness of lung cancer was more in bumiputras compared to no-bumiputras which was statistically significant. Unmarried students and medical students had good knowledge as well as awareness about risk factors of lung cancers when compared to Unmarried and non-medical students respectively. Non-smokers had good knowledge and awareness about risk factors of lung cancer than smokers which was statistically. Conclusion Female students in medical field who were less than age of 22, and bumiputra status had good knowledge and awareness about the risk factors for lung cancer. Non-smoker students had good level of knowledge about lung cancer and awareness of the risk factor when compared to current smoker students. Top Keywords Lung cancer, Medical, University Students, Awareness, Risk factors. Top |