Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women [1] WHO, 2013; [2]. Its dynamic epidemiology reveals a steady increase of its incidence worldwide and mostly in western countries, due to systematic screening mammography [3]. The annual rate of increase of its incidence is estimated at 3.1% between 1980 and 2010 [3,5]. Breast cancer is the first cause of death in women over the world [WHO, 2013; [6, 7]. Systematic screening mammography from the age of 50 and the careful surveillance of women at risk (BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations), have allowed an early diagnosis in western countries [1]. These actions of screening, primary and secondary prevention, help avoid some types of cancers, detect others early enough and mostly have a good prognosis [8].

In contrast in Africa, cancers are diagnosed lately and stages III and IV are the usual circumstances of discovery ([9, 10]. This is partly due to the lack of facilities, the lack of an effective coordination of screening and prevention methods, and also poverty and ignorance [11].

By taking an interest in factors of late diagnosis, a study conducted at Yalgado Ouedraogo University Hospital of Ouagadougou (CHUYO), revealed a significant correlation between the lateness of diagnosis and the level of knowledge of health agents in peripheral centres, relating to breast cancers [Ouedraogo 2014].

In fact, in accordance with the recommendations of Alma Atta, our nurses and midwives work in peripheral centres (grade 1) which constitute the interface between the population and the health system [12, 13]. They are those who, in most cases, assess the need or not to refer a patient having a breast disease to the upper level.

Consequently, a good knowledge of signs of alert of breast cancers will enable them refer patients parsimoniously, and contribute to shorten deadlines of diagnosis and improve prognosis.

Thus, we are conducting this assessment survey on the real level of knowledge of final year nursing and midwifery students in health schools of Ouagadougou, to adjust, when necessary, teachings on cancers. This will enable cover the whole national territory with agents able to detect, advise and collaborate with higher levels for an efficient care of breast cancers.

The survey in health schools of the city of Ouagadougou allowed interviewing 399 students i.e. 234 nurses (58.7%) and 165 midwives (41.3%).

All the students interviewed knew that breast cancer exists. The media represented the main source of first information, whatever the type of training (nursing students = 47.90%, midwifery students = 47.60% with Chi-square = 0.003 and P. value = 0.954). Three hundred and seventy five ( 375) students mentioned the frequent or non-frequent nature of breast cancer. Among them, 97.1% thought that breast cancer was frequent and 86.2% affirmed that it is the most frequent cancer in women over the world. A proportion of 93.6% of students thought that cancer is a serious disease and 80.2% of the students affirmed that it can be avoided. The knowledge of final year nursing and midwifery students does not seem to be influenced by the type of training as far as the frequency and letality of breast cancer (P> 0.05) are concerned. However, state midwives are significantly in advance concerning the knowledge on prevention (Chi-square = 4.972 and P = 0.026) and seriousness (Chi-square = 4.309 and P = 0.038) of breast cancer. A total of 335 students i.e. 83.9% mentioned the transmissible or non-transmissible nature of breast cancer. Among them, 37.01% thought that breast cancer is non-transmissible and 62.9% affirmed that it is a transmissible disease.

A total of 383 students (95.9%) commented on the curable or non-curable aspect of breast cancer, in case it is early diagnosed. Among them, 94% thought that breast cancer is curable when early diagnosed. A total of 351 students (87.9%) commented on the curable or non-curable aspect of breast cancer whatever the stage of diagnosis. Only 7.4% of them affirmed that breast cancer is curable whatever its stage. A total of 363 students (90.9%) commented on the risk factors. In 83.9% of cases, was noted the knowledge of students on risk factors of breast cancer, according to the type of training. The various risk factors were known. Mastopathies were less known as risk factors by newly recruited than by professionals in a statistically significant way (Chi-square = 7.099 and P = 0.029). It was the same for first late pregnancy (Chi-square = 13.833 and P = 0.001).

A total of 265 students i.e. a proportion of 66.4% affirmed that breast cancer could be detected at a sub-clinical stage. More than 50% of the students knew that each health worker is a screening actor in Burkina Faso. A proportion of 81.1% affirmed that screening should be done when the patient is asymptomatic. This same proportion affirmed that screening should mostly concern women over 50 years, 12.6% thought that any adult man should also be concerned by screening. A proportion of 72.1% thought that screening should be done regularly every three years and 95.2% propose that it is done very often in groups at risk. In 83.4% of cases, the students knew at least one screening method. The real screening (mammography and X-Ray) were known by almost all the students without a statistically significant difference according to the recruitment way (Chi-square = 2.826 and P = 0.248). Other tests not necessary for the screening, like MRI, scanner, chest X-Ray and abdominal X-Ray without preparation, were also mentioned.

In 91.6% of cases, more than two signs were known by the students. In the table, were summarized the known alert symptoms of breast cancers according to the type of training.

All the students had a good knowledge of breast self-examination, clinical test, X-Ray and mammography to diagnose breast cancer. However, less that 50% knew the crucial stages (biopsy,cytology, histology) in the diagnosis of breast cancer. A proportion of 94.5% of the students knew what breast self-examination means. A major part of the students knew that breast self-examination was monthly (66.9%). There was no statistically significant difference depending on the type of training (Chi-square = 1.351 and P = 0,509). Less than 50% of the students (33,5%) knew that breast self-examination should be done after menses. There was a statistically significant difference depending on the type of training (Square Chi = 12.500 and P = 0.000).

In 88.1% of cases, students knew more than two methods of treatment and less than two methods were known in 11.9% of cases. Nursing students had a statistically better knowledge of therapeutic terms of breast cancers compared to midwives (P < 0.002), apart from paliative care (P = 0.273).

A total of 380 students i.e. 95.2% affirmed that referral to a specialist was the practical attitude to adopt before a suspicious anomaly on the breast. A proportion of 95.9% of nurses and 95.1% of midwives underlined this same attitude ( P = 0.706). Furthermore, it was recognized by 94.2% of students who got admission privately, 100% of those admitted by direct recruitment through competition and 94.7% of those admitted as professionals ( P = 0.088). Concerning the advice to patients, the students recommended: teach to patients the technique of breast self-examination, encourage to a regular practice and sensitize them to take part in screening campaigns. These were the main advice that a total of 209 students i.e. a proportion of 52.3% recommended for an early diagnosis of breast cancers.

Over 399 students selected, nurses represented 58.7% and midwives 41.3%. The respondents rate in our series was 99%. It is the best rate compared to those of Nigerian authors [14] and Turkish authors [15] who noted 73% and 80.6% respectively, of respondents during their surveys on healthcare professionals. This difference may be explained by the rigorous discipline of the training on students through the daily attendance list and the justification of any absence at a course.

All students questioned (100%) were informed and aware that breast cancer exists. This may be explained by the rise of NICT (New Information and Communication Technologies) and the real delivery of the course on cancerology in the various schools. This proportion is above the one found in Nigeria and in Saudi Arabia [16,17] which were 97.1% and 90% respectively. The media were the main source of information of students with a frequency of 47.9% (Chi-square = 0.003 et P = 0.954). In Dina et al. (2012) series in Egypt, the media were representing a frequency of 89.1%. in a Nigerian series [18]. courses were the main source of information (63.7%) followed by the media with a frequency of 19.7%. Our study reveals that the media constitute the main channel of first information about breast cancer whatever the type of training (midwives or state nurses). A proportion of 97.1% of the students thought that breast cancer is a frequent disease and 86.2% affirmed that it is most frequent cancer in women in the world. This result is similar to that of Bassey et al. (2011) in Nigeria (84.8%) and Mehregan (2002) in Iran (75%). In our series, the type of training and the way of recruitment do not seem to have an influence on the general knowledge of students relating to breast cancer (P > 0,05). In contrast, state midwives had a significant advance concerning the knowledge on the prevention and seriousness of breast cancer (P < 0.05). This could be explained by the nature of midwifery profession and the fact that midwives are those who mostly face breast diseases. The level of state nurses could be improved by the reinforcement of the course on cancerology and self-training.

Among the 90.9% of the respondents who commented on risk factors of breast cancer, 83.9 % had a very good knowledge of risk factors. This level of knowledge was better than those noted in Nigeria [19] and in Morocco [20] where the authors reported that proportions of 55% (Chi-square = 94.056 ; P < 0.0001) and 56.5% (P < 0.001) respectively of respondents in their series had a poor knowledge of risk factors. In our series, the risk factors known mostly concerned women and mastopathies with frequencies of 94.7% and 82.9% respectively. For some authors [15] mastopathies represented only 38.7% of risk factors known by the respondents. In some series, namely Egyptian and German series [21, 22], family history of cancer was the main risk factor known with (90.2%) and (94.9%) respectively of respondents. Furthermore, our results show that mastopathies and late pregnancies were risk factors less known by students registered at a health school for the first time than by professionals in a statistically significant way (P < 0.05). The experience of healthcare professionals on the ground could well explain this difference in the knowledge of risk factors.

In our series, all students knew at least a method of breast cancer screening. Their level of knowledge of screening methods is satisfactory (83.4%). Our results show that the majority (more than 60%) of students knew the main methods (mammography, X-ray) necessary for breast cancer screening without a statistically significant difference according to the type of training (P > 0.05). Mammography was highly underlined as main screening method (99.5%). Other African surveys conducted with health workers [17, 23] noted similar results. However, Maria et al. (2006) in Hong Kong revealed that 58% of its population of study had never heard about screening mammography. This difference in the results between authors could be due to the quality of the respondents. Health workers under training, like in our series or those working already have a clear advantage compared to the general population. This shows the place of training in the access to information on breast cancer.

A proportion of 95.2% of students in our series knew at least one symptom. Their level of knowledge concerning breast cancer warning signs is very satisfactory (91.6%). This result can be compared to that of Philippian authors [24] (93%). Like in several similar studies [3], in our surveyed persons, breast mass was the most known symptom with a frequency of 86.2%. In some series [23], lymphadenopathy was the key symptom (91.9% ; P = 0.001). These two signs (breast mass and axillary lymphadenopathy) are the most known both by health workers and the general population. It is undoubtedly, because it is perceptible and palpable by all, mostly as breast is a superficial organ. The most discrete signs like mastodynias remain less related to breast cancer according to those surveyed.

All the students had a very good knowledge of breast self-examination practice, breast clinical examination, X-ray and mammography to make the diagnosis of breast cancer. However, their level of knowledge concerning the main tests (biopsy, cytology, histology) in the diagnosis of breast cancer is limited. Clinical breast examination and breast-self examination were less known by the students with frequencies of 87.2% and 82.7% respectively. Turkish and Indian authors had also noted a good knowledge of the various steps for the diagnosis by the students with respective proportions of 98.4% and 89.2% [15, 25]. The good knowledge of diagnosis stages is essential for the fight against breast cancer. In fact, nurses and midwives who are the entry point into the health system will have the reflex to refer patients immediately to the higher level for tests non-available in peripheral centres.

A proportion of 66.9% of students in our series knew the frequency of breast self-examination, but only 33.5% knew the best period during the cycle to do it (monthly and 7-10 days after the beginning of menses). Other African surveys like that of [26] in Nigeria also noted a high level of knowledge of students (98.5%). However, [27] in Angola found that only 50% of students of their series knew the appropriate time for breast self-examination. In the black African context where systematic screening mammography is not current, due to poverty, a good knowledge of breast self-examination by health workers and women remain the cornerstone for early diagnosis.

88.1% of students in our series had a satisfactory knowledge of means of treatment of breast cancer. Surgery and chemotherapy, with respective frequencies of 86.4% and 81.2% were the best-known methods. Our results attest that apart from palliative care (P = 0.273), nursing students had a statistically better knowledge of therapeutic terms of breast cancer compared to midwives (P = 0.002). Although nursing and midwifery students will not treat breast cancers, it is crucial for them to be able to know the therapeutic methods, in order to advise the women they will receive in the peripheral health centres.

The patient’s referral to a specialist is the practical appropriate attitude to adopt before any suspicious lesion of breast cancer. This attitude was recognized by a proportion of 94.3% of the students. It was strongly underlined by nurses and midwives (P = 0.706) as well as those who got admission by direct recruitment through competition. There is no significant difference concerning the practical attitude to adopt before a suspicious lesion of the breast according to the way of recruitment (P = 0.088).

In conclusion and recommendation, our study shows that all the students are aware of the existence of breast cancer. The media and courses are the main sources of information. It results that the level of knowledge of students concerning risk factors, clinical signs, screening methods and the treatment of breast cancer is quite high. Moreover, their attitude before a suspicious lesion is good. Their knowledge of methods of breast cancer early diagnosis and breast self-examination still has to be improved. We should therefore stay the course on education and improve practical training.

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