Methods. This descriptive cross sec

Methods. This descriptive cross sectional study was carried out
among female senior secondary school students from selected
schools in the municipal area council of Abuja. The tool for data
collection was a structured self administered questionnaire. Data
were analysed using SPSS version 16.0.
Results. Two hundred and eighty-seven students participated
in the study. Their mean age was 16.5 ± 1.4 years. A greater
proportion of respondents 163 (56.8%) had poor knowledge of
breast cancer while 217 (75.6%) had poor knowledge of BSE.
Only 114 (39.7%) of the respondents knew that being a female
was a risk factor for breast cancer and the least known risk
factors were obesity and aging. The major source of information
for breast cancer and BSE among the respondents was the
mass media. Only 29 (10.1%) of respondents had practiced BSE.
Knowledge of BSE was significantly associated with BSE practice.
Conclusion. This study revealed that female secondary school
students have poor knowledge of breast cancer. A good proportion
of them knew that BSE could be used as a screening method
for breast cancer but only few had practiced BSE. There is need
for adequate health education on breast cancer and BSE among
adolescent females in Nigeria.