Introduction. The most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Poland is breast cancer. About 16,000 women suffer from it every year and 5,000 of them die. Knowledge about risk factors, prevention methods and early detection is a key element in a fight against breast cancer. Aim. The aim of the study is to assess the level of knowledge among nuns on the subject of breast cancer prevention. Material and methods. The study was conducted in selected religious congregations of Tri-city and Warsaw, in the period from June to September 2017. The research material was a group of 93 nuns and novices. The work involved the method of a diagnostic survey using the own authorship tool and questions characterizing the demographic and social data of the respondents. The questionnaire consisted of 13 questions on prevention, risk factors and knowledge of breast cancer symptoms. Results. The risk factor of breast cancer, pointed out by 86% respondents, was genetic determinants. According to the respondents, the symptoms that should be worrying during the breast self-examination are: palpable nodule (88.2%), nipple discharge and pain (76.3%) and enlargement of the lymph nodes (62.4%). More than a half of the respondents (59.1%) believed that breast self-examination is performed once a month. The most important preventive examination of breast cancer according to nuns (90.3%) is mammography. Conclusions. The level of knowledge of nuns on the subject of breast cancer prevention was defined as average. More knowledge about breast cancer prevention have nuns with higher education, performing regularly breast self-examination.

Key words: breast cancer, breast cancer prevention, knowledge, nuns.