Objetivo: avaliar o nível de conhecimento e prática do auto-exame da mama entre os estudantes do curso médico e determinar possíveis fatores associados a esta prática. Métodos: foi utilizado um questionário que continha informações sobre os alunos e o seu conhecimento a respeito do auto-exame, permitindo ainda, verificar entre as alunas a prática do mesmo. Utilizaram-se os testes do qui quadrado e "t" de Student, quando aplicáveis, para verificar a associação de alguns fatores com o auto-exame. Resultados: dos 348 questionários respondidos, 55 (16%) pertenciam aos alunos do 5º ano (estudantes que haviam cursado a Disciplina de Ginecologia da Universidade Federal de Goiás), 43% eram mulheres, 62% tinham familiares médicos e 17% apresentavam história familiar de câncer de mama. Em relação ao conhecimento do auto-exame, 95% conheciam o método. Das 149 estudantes, apenas 64% o praticavam. Os motivos para não fazê-lo eram: por ser muito jovem (24%), por não acreditar que pudesse acontecer com ela (4%), por medo (9%) e por preguiça (19%), sendo que 44% das alunas não souberam explicar o motivo. Tanto o conhecimento quanto a prática do auto-exame não estiveram associados ao ano do curso médico, história familiar de câncer de mama ou à presença de familiar médico. Conclusão: o auto-exame é conhecido por praticamente todos os estudantes de medicina mesmo assim, um terço das estudantes não o praticam. Com isso ressalta-se a importância do auto-exame no curso médico, a fim de que os alunos possam levar mais informações à população, não limitando esta tarefa aos meios de comunicação.

Purpose: to evaluate the knowledge and practice of breast self-examination among medical students and to determine possible factors associated with this practice. Method: the authors used a questionnaire to gather information about the students and their knowledge of this self-examination. This questionnaire also allowed the authors to verify the frequency with which the female students performed breast self-examination. The chi² test and Student's "t" test were used, when applicable, to check the association of certain factors. Results: of the 348 questionnaires which were answered, 16% (55) were submitted by 5th year medical students, who had already attended the Gynecology course; 43% were answered by females, 62% of the students had medical doctors among their relatives, and 17% had a family history of breast cancer. In terms of breast self-examination, 95% knew about the method. Of the 149 females who answered the questionnaire, only 64% checked their breasts regularly. The reasons given for not performing self-examination varied: 24% considered themselves to be too young, 4% thought they would not have cancer, 9% listed fear as the reason, 19% reported they were too lazy, and 44% of the female students had no clear reason for not performing breast self-examination. Neither the knowledge nor the practice of the breast self-examination were associated with the subjects the students had or had not yet taken in medical school, with a family history of breast cancer or with the fact that one or more relatives were medical doctors. Conclusion: breast self-examination is known by practically all the medical students; nevertheless, only one third of the female students performed it regularly. This fact highlights the importance of emphasizing breast self-examination among medical students, so that they can help to disseminate this practice among the general population, rather than delegating this responsibility to the midia.

Objetivos: avaliar o nível de conhecimento de noções básicas do diagnóstico do câncer de mama entre os alunos de medicina; promover a discussão entre eles e avaliar o aproveitamento dos alunos do 5º ano médico, após cursar a Disciplina de Ginecologia. Métodos: por meio de questionários aplicados a 348 alunos do total de 550 alunos, do 1º ao 5º ano do curso médico, buscaram-se informações a respeito do conhecimento básico do diagnóstico do câncer de mama. Dos 348 questionários aplicados, 55 (16%) foram respondidos por estudantes do 5º ano que haviam cursado a Disciplina de Ginecologia. Destes, 43% eram mulheres, 62% tinham familiares médicos e 17% história familiar de câncer de mama. Resultados: em relação ao conhecimento dos métodos diagnósticos, 84% dos alunos acertaram o sinal mais freqüente do câncer de mama; 34%, o melhor método de rastreio; 49%, quando indicar a mamografia em mulheres assintomáticas; 37%, a periodicidade preconizada da mamografia após 50 anos e 24%, quando associar o ultra-som à mamografia para detecção do câncer de mama. Os alunos do 5º ano apresentaram um índice de acerto para todas as perguntas significativamente maior que os demais. O sexo só apresentou diferença em relação ao maior conhecimento pelas mulheres quanto ao melhor período para o auto-exame e quando indicar a associação do ultra-som à mamografia. A presença de familiares médicos e a história familiar de câncer de mama não influenciaram as respostas. Conclusão: mesmo entre acadêmicos de medicina ainda é grande a desinformação a respeito do diagnóstico do câncer de mama. Não obstante, após cursar a disciplina, esse conhecimento aumenta significativamente.

Purpose: to evaluate how knowledgeable medical students at the Universidade Federal de Goiás were concerning the basic diagnostic principles breast cancer. The study also aimed at promoting a debate among the students and at assessing the understanding of the students in the fifth year of medical school, who had already attended the Gynecology course. Methods: Through questionnaires given to 348 individuals, from the first to the fifth year, out of a total population of 550 students, the authors searched for information with regard to basic knowledge on the diagnosis of breast cancer. Of the 348 questionnaires, 55 (16%) were given to fifth-year students, who had already attended the Gynecology course. Furthermore, 43% of the students were women, 62% had medical doctors in their immediate family, and 17% had a family history of breast cancer. Results: in regard to the knowledge of diagnostic methods, 84% of the students were aware of the most frequent sign of breast cancer, 34% knew which was the best screening method, 49% knew when to refer asymptomatic women to mammography, 37% knew the recommended interval between mammography for women above the age of 50, and 24% knew when to associate ultrasound to mammography for the detection of breast cancer. The fifth-year students provided correct answers at a significantly higher rate, when compared to the others. Concerning gender, the only difference regarded the fact that women showed a better knowledge as to the best time for self-examination and when to recommend ultrasound associated with mammography. The presence of medical doctors in the family and a history of family members with breast cancer did not have any influence on the answers. Conclusion: The lack of information in regard to the diagnosis of breast cancer is very high, even among medical students. Nevertheless, the rate of information increases significantly after students are taught Gynecology, which is only offered during the fifth year of the medical school.