Objective:

to characterize knowledge, attitudes and practices of breast cancer and its early detection in women between 30 and 69 years of age of the urban area of the municipality of Amalfi, Antioquia.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional study was conducted using a 20-minute survey with 335 women selected by simple random sampling, using the household addresses from the mayor´s office records.

Results:

The combined score of breast cancer knowledge, risk factors and symptoms was 14 (standard deviation: 3.6) of 22 possible points, showing intermediate knowledge in this topic. In women between 30 and 49 years of age 82%, 14% and 68% knew what was self-examination, clinical examination and mammography compared with 62%, 10% and 63% in women between 50 and 69 years. 95% of the participants reported that early detection methods are important for the prevention and/or timely treatment of cancer. 71,9% of the participants between 30 and 49 years of age, and 67,1% between 50 and 69 years old, underwent breast self-examination. The clinical breast examination was performed by 41,5% of the women without significant differences between the age groups. Only 39,2% of women between 50 and 69 years of age had undergone mammography.

Conclusions:

the knowledge, attitudes and practices of early detection of breast cancer have deficiencies. However, there is a favorable disposition towards early detection that can favor the strengthening of knowledge and motivate the practice.

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