Perceptions of Female Medical Students towards  Preventative Mastectomy in Malaysia: A Qualitative  Approach

Dr. Redhwan Ahmed Al-Naggar; Dr. Muhamed T. Osman; Dr. Nor Aini Mohd Noor; Dr. Waqar Abdalqahar Alqubaisy

Volume : III, Issue : VII, July - 2013

Perceptions of Female Medical Students towards Preventative Mastectomy in Malaysia: A Qualitative Approach

Dr. Redhwan Ahmed Al Naggar, Dr. Muhamed T. Osman, Dr. Nor Aini Mohd Noor, Dr. Waqar Abdalqahar Alqubaisy

Abstract :

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of Malaysian Medical Students towards Preventative Mastectomy. The study was an in–depth qualitative study conducted among year four medical students. A total of 26 students were invited to participate in this study. Universal sampling was used in this study. Verbal consent was obtained from all participants. The data obtained were classified into various categories, and was analyzed manually. A total of 26 medical students participated in this study, majority of them knew about preventative mastectomy and the main source of information was internet. The majority of the participants will recommend preventative mastectomy to their patients if tested genetically positive. However some of them will not recommend it to their patients even though tested positive for BRCA1/2. The majority will recommend the preventative mastectomy for their relatives if tested genetically positive. Surprisingly, most of the students will never recommend it to their own if tested positive. Further investigation should be carried out among physicians, surgeons, oncologists, women, and general population to come out with guidelines for preventative mastectomy based on culture, values, attitudes and religion.