Knowledge, and Screening Behaviours of Saudi Female Teachers Towards Breast Cancer in Description Buraydah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Backgroun Breast cancer is the second commonest cause of cancer-related deaths in Saudi Arabia and the commonest type of female cancer. However, unfortunately several women bypass early discovery and management possibilities related to the shortage of data, knowledge, and recognition of breast cancer, as well as cancer screening manners in general. This study aims to assess the knowledge, and screening behaviour of female teacher regarding breast cancer.Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in the governmental secondary girls’ schools in Buraydah city, Saudi Arabia, during the period 2018–2019. A cluster multistage random sampling technique was used to recruit female teacher. The data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire.Results The study included 316 female teachers. The age of 55.4% of them was below 40 years. The total breast cancer knowledge score was abnormally distributed, as evidenced by significant Shapiro-Wilk test, p < 0.001. The mean ± SD score was 10.66 ± 3.73 (maximum possible score was 15) and the median (IQR) was 11 (8–13). Less than half (42.7%) of the teachers reported performing BSE while only 9.5% went to a clinic for clinical breast examination. BSE was performed on monthly basis by only 14.8% of those practiced it. Ignorance of the examination and fear to discover a tumour were mentioned by 24.9% for each as a reason for not performing BSE whereas 42.5% of those who did not practice it had no reason for that. Mammogram was ever practiced by 22.5% of the female teachers. About one-third of the participants (33.5%) claimed that they will perform mammogram in the coming year. Older teachers (40–50) reported higher rates of performing mammogram compared to those aged < 40, p = 0.012. Also, teachers who had friends with breast cancer were practiced mammogram at higher rated than their counterparts, p = 0.025.Conclusions The study indicates that breast cancer knowledge among governmental female secondary school teachers in Buraydah city, Saudi Arabia is overall insufficient, regarding risk factors and clinical presentation. Performance of breast cancer screening techniques is not enough. Improving knowledge regarding breast cancer risk factors, presentation and screening tools as BSE and mammogram through educational programs is highly recommended for prevention and early detection.