Breast Cancer Awareness and Approach toward Exposure to Diverse Patterns of Hormones among Women in Northern Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Several studies have well-established the relationship between breast cancer and etiological hormonal factors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine breast cancer related awareness and approach toward exposure to diverse patterns of hormones among women in Northern Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This is a cross sectional survey included 400 Saudi females' volunteers living in the city of Hail, Northern Saudi Arabia. Knowledge, awareness and approach toward exposure to diverse patterns of hormones and breast cancer risk were evaluated using different variables during interview. Results: On asking the participants the question "Does the over exposure to hormones (ER) increases the risk of breast cancer" Out of 387 respondents, 47.5% answered yes increases the risk of breast cancer. On asking the participants the question "Does early puberty and late menopause increase the risk of breast cancer" Out of 395 respondents, 35.2% answered yes increases the risk of breast cancer. Conclusion: Knowledge of hormonal breast cancer risk factors is not so strong so as to achieve the intended values in Northern Saudi Arabia. Knowledge of breast cancer risk factors can powerfully participate to the breast cancer prevention struggles, which will have the chief results mainly if started at an early age and continued over a lifetime.

Population insight of the relationship between lifestyle and cancer: A population-based survey

“…There is a substantial rise in the incidence of some cancers in Saudi Arabia in recent years due to several etiological risk factors, which differ for different geographical regions in the country [6] . Life style models and lack of awareness are the most common factors expected to contribute to substantial increase in the incidence of cancer in Saudi Arabia [7] – [11] . Increase of age in general population as well as, obesity are the most challenging factors contributing to the etiology of cancer in Saudi Arabia [12] .…”