Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the predominant malignancy among women globally and is a major contributor to cancer-related mortality in Pakistan, where one in nine women is affected. Recent data indicate that endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in personal care products may increase the risk of breast cancer. However, our understanding of these carcinogenic risks remains limited. This study assessed the awareness of breast cancer risk factors, including the role of personal care products, among female medical students at Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study included 381 female undergraduate MBBS students (mean age: 20.1 ± 1.3 years) at Jinnah Sindh Medical University. Data were collected through a structured and pilot-tested questionnaire validated with Cronbach's alpha of 0.721, comprising sociodemographic details, awareness of breast cancer risk factors and screening methods, usage patterns of personal care products, and knowledge of EDCs. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data, with a significance threshold of p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Among the participants, 87.1% indicated that exposure to chemicals in cosmetics was a probable risk factor. Sunscreens (77.2%), deodorants (69.3%), and moisturizers (64.8%) exhibited the highest daily usage rates. Only 39.9% of respondents were aware that these products contained EDCs. Recommendations from beauticians (p = 0.001), doctors (p = 0.041), and social media (p = 0.017) significantly influenced the purchasing decisions. Only 35.4% conducted independent investigations of substances, while 79.3% endorsed legislative measures against carcinogens in cosmetics. CONCLUSION: This study highlights that future doctors possess limited knowledge about breast cancer, especially concerning environmental risk factors, such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in personal care products. While it does not establish a causal relationship, the study underscores significant gaps in the participants' understanding.