Breast cancer understanding among university students: A rapid review of cross-country comparisons

Background: In alignment with the World Health Organization’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative objectives, this rapid review sought to determine the extent to which breast cancer understanding is being researched globally in undergraduate student populations, and review recent findings, to inform policy makers and practitioners on the baseline level of student understanding by world region.

Methods: Four academic databases were searched, and 114 studies meeting the search criteria were assessed based upon Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology reporting guidelines and comprehensiveness of coverage for the factors of interest. Finally, 33 were selected as representing quality research from all world regions producing recent research of this topic. Their findings were narratively synthesized.

Results: The majority of recent research emanates from regions with accelerating breast cancer mortality rates, corresponding with lower economic resources, primarily within Africa and Asia. Most focus on breast cancer understanding in female participants, with little data available for males or minority gender groups. Disparity between medical and non-medical students’ breast cancer understanding is widely reported, though breast cancer understanding is found to be inadequate for most students. Interventions to improve breast cancer understanding indicate promising results, though a lack of standardized measures, together with inadequate reporting of effect sizes, makes meta-analysis of prevailing data challenging.

Conclusion: Evidence suggests undergraduate students’ breast cancer understanding globally is inadequate, showing the necessity of increased rigor in research design and reporting to facilitate reliable knowledge generation. Systematic reviews are recommended to widen the scope and depth of this rapid review in support of WHO targets.