Breast Cancer , Breast Self - Examination Knowledge among Female High School Students in Riyadh City

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent form of cancer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, accounting for 11% of all female cancers. It is considered to be a progressive disease with a poor prognosis if detected late. The low level of knowledge and practice of breast self-examination is an important method of prevention. The study was aimed at assessing the knowledge of breast cancer and practice of Breast Self-Examination (BSE) among female secondary school students in Riyadh city. Material & Methods : A cross-sectional descriptive correlation design was used in this study. A representative probability sample was recruited (Sample Size = 917 Students). A selfadministered questionnaire was prepared by the researcher. It consists of four parts. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software package (version 16) for data entry and analysis. Results: The results of the study indicated that none of the secondary school students had an excellent knowledge regarding breast cancer; 98.8% of the participants had a fair level of knowledge about breast cancer. The mass media was the most common source of information about breast cancer. The majority of participants did not perform breast self-examination 80.8%; only 3.4% perform (BSE) on monthly basis. There was a statistically significant relation between level of breast cancer knowledge and secondary school type, nationality, family history of breast cancer and secondary school levels but there was no significant relation between knowledge of breast cancer and age groups, marital status and family income level. Logistic regression analysis revealed that a negative family history of breast cancer was a significant predictor for lower scores on the level of knowledge of breast cancer. However, age group, family history of breast cancer were significant predictors of performance of breast self-examination. Conclusions : This study revealed that most of the female secondary school students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia had very low knowledge about breast cancer. We recommended developing a health educational program about breast cancer for students, teachers and the community, to raise awareness.

The Effectiveness of Educational Intervention Program on Knowledge of BSE among Secondary School Girls in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan

“…However, a study reported that less than 1% of the participants had very good knowledge and more than 30% of the study population had poor to very poor knowledge (Hadi et al 2010). This is similar to the other studies where most of young females had a low level of knowledge in relation to breast cancer prevention (Akhtari-Zavare et al 2015;Che Mut et al 2018), where the secondary school girls had very low knowledge on breast cancer and BSE practice (Al-Haji & Moawed 2015;Che Mut et al 2019). In addition, the most important information on breast cancer which is the knowledge on signs and symptoms of breast cancer are also poor among young women.…”

Tackling breast cancer in developing countries: insights from the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on breast cancer and its prevention among Nigerian teenagers in secondary schools.

“…Breast cancers, unlike most others, occur in an organ (breast) that is easily visible [ 9 , 14 ], and BSE is the visual and manual examination of breasts for lumps, bumps, and skin changes over nipples and breasts [ 4 ]. Monthly BSE is recommended from age 20 [ 4 ], Even though its efficacy in preventing breast cancer deaths is unproven [ 15 , 16 ], it remains a free, painless and easy-to-practice technique, which helps improve body awareness, allowing changes potentially indicative of breast cancer to be picked up early [ 17 , 18 ]. Alongside other screening methods, BSEs can improve outcomes and reduce mortality by as much as 25% [ 19 ].…”

“…Even though the mean age of presentation in Nigeria is 42 to 44 years [ 2 , 26 , 31 ], prognosis in younger patients aged < 40 years is poor [ 32 ], and early screening and detection is vital [ 17 ]. While reports vary, one study found that 12% of the cancers in Nigeria are among those aged < 30, the youngest being a 16 year old [ 33 ].…”

Using Health Belief Model to Probe Female Adolescent Perception About Breast Cancer in Riyadh City

“…Based on a scale from one to five the overall perceived level was moderate (M=3; SD =1.07) on a 5-point Likert-type scale. Generally, we can consider that items that have a mean equal or more the 3 have more agreement as perceived by the participant; those items include item number 5,12,13,10,11,14,15,4,18,1,7,9,8,6,19,26; those items are arranged from the most agreed items to the less agreed items by the participants. On the other hand, items that have a mean less than 3 have less agreement as perceived by the participants; those items include item number 3,16,20,22,2,21,17,25,24,23; those items are arranged from the most agreed items to the less agreed.…”

“…The incidence rate of BC is increasing in rich developing country due to increase life expectancy, increase urbanization and adoption of western lifestyles [6]. In Saudi Arabia (SA) which is a rich Arab gulf country BC is high prevalence type of cancer which accounting for about 11% of all women cancer cases [7]. Cancer in Riyadh City The more recent report by Saudi general authority of statistics showed 43% of total population was female [8] which indicate the required need to investigate their perception toward BC.…”