Mountain Minds Against Breast Cancer: Assessing Awareness Across Himachal Pradesh
Background: Breast cancer continues to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer and a major cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. In India, and particularly in geographically challenging states like Himachal Pradesh, limited awareness, socio-cultural taboos, and misconceptions often delay early diagnosis and treatment. Given the critical role of early detection in improving outcomes, it is essential to assess public awareness, especially in underserved and rural populations. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted over three months in 2025 to assess knowledge, awareness, and misconceptions about breast cancer among residents of Himachal Pradesh. A bilingual (English and Hindi) structured questionnaire comprising 20 awareness questions and socio-demographic variables was disseminated through a Google Form using convenience sampling. A total of 400 participants (aged 18 years and above) responded. Knowledge scores were calculated, categorized into four levels (Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor), and analyzed using SPSS. Chi-square tests assessed associations between knowledge levels and socio-demographic factors, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Among the 400 participants, 70% were female, 56.5% resided in rural areas, and 33% were undergraduates. Awareness levels were relatively encouraging, with 78% recognizing the importance of early detection, 77.8% acknowledging breast self-examination, and 74.5% aware that men can also develop breast cancer. However, misconceptions persisted—only 59.5% correctly denied the myth that tight bras cause cancer, and just 58% understood that not all cases require mastectomy. Knowledge scores revealed that 31.5% of participants had very good knowledge, 36% had good, 20.5% fair, and 12% poor. Statistically significant associations were observed between knowledge levels and education (p<0.001), age (p = 0.014), gender (p = 0.047), and residence (p = 0.026). Conclusion: While awareness of breast cancer in Himachal Pradesh shows promising trends, particularly among younger, educated, and urban populations, significant gaps remain—especially among rural and less-educated groups. Persistent myths and limited knowledge about screening access underline the urgent need for culturally sensitive, community-based educational campaigns. Strengthening grassroots awareness initiatives and integrating breast cancer education into public health programs could greatly enhance early detection and reduce mortality in this Himalayan region.