Knowledge of breast cancer and its risk and protective factors among women in Riyadh

Abstract

BACKGROUNDWe conducted this study to assess knowledge of breast cancer and sources of information about breast cancer among women in Riyadh. We also analyzed whether associations existed between demographic variables, knowledge of breast cancer, and the practice of breast self-examination and use of mammography screening.METHODSWomen interested in participating in this community-based descriptive study provided data by completing a pre-tested structured questionnaire.RESULTSOf 864 participating women, 84% were Saudi, 45% were married and 67.8% had a university level education. Eighty percent were between the ages of 20 to 50 years. Knowledge of breast self examination (BSE) was high; 82% (95% confidence intervals [CI], 79.2%–84.4%) knew about BSE, while 61% (95% CI: 57.9%–64.5%) knew about mammography, but only 41.2% (95% CI, 37.9%–44.5%) had performed BSE and 18.2% (95%CI, 15.5%–20.8%) had had mammography screening. Knowledge of breast cancer, risk factors and protective factors for breast cancer was moderate. There was a statistically significant association between the demographic characteristics (marital status, educational status and family history of breast cancer) and knowledge and practice of BSE and mammography.CONCLUSIONThough it has limitations, this study revealed an imbalance between the knowledge and practice of BSE among women. It also showed that there is only moderate knowledge of risk and protective factors for breast cancer and that knowledge and practice of BSE and mammograms vary according to marital and educational status. Hence, frequent community-based awareness programs are needed so that all women can know and practice BSE, which in turn helps to prevent breast cancer.

Factors that Influence Awareness of Breast Cancer Screening among Arab Women in Qatar: Results from a Cross Sectional Survey

“…Yet, the majority of women did not receive information about BCS from these health care providers. Thus, a multidisciplinary team approach that involves doctors, nurses, health educators, and pharmacists and includes regular discussions about breast cancer screening with patients would facilitate increased awareness and participation in BCS activities among women (Cohen and Azaiza, 2005;Alam, 2006;Al-Qattan et al, 2007;Dandash and Al-Mohaimeed, 2007 Hamdan and Mohamed, 2011;Ravichandran et al, 2011). In addition to the education level of the participant, a higher education level of the husband was associated with participant awareness of BCS.…”

“…Early detection of breast cancer through regular screening activities such as breast self examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE), mammography, improvement of the quality of the screening activities, and enhanced treatment have been found to decrease mortality 1 Alam, 2006;Dandash and Al-Mohaimeed, 2007;Soskolne et al, 2007;Montazeri, et al, 2008;Amin et al, 2009;Ahmed, 2010;Azaiza et al, 2010). Studies indicate that doctors often do not offer BCS services to women.…”

Perception of Patients with Cancer towards Support Management Services and Use of Complementary Alternative Medicine - a Single Institution Hospital-Based Study in Saudi Arabia

“…Reasons commonly cited by people with cancer for using CAM include attempting to improve one's physical and emotional health (Humpel et al, 2006;Fox et al 2013;Suzuki etal 2013), the desire to exert a sense of personal control over one's illness, dissatisfaction with the medical care system or health providers (Wanchai et al, 2010), and doubts concerning the effectiveness of conventional treatment (Ritvo et al, 1999). In Saudi Arabia, studies regarding the perceptions of cancer and attitudes toward conventional and CAM therapy were few and focused mostly on the knowledge of and attitudes toward breast cancer (Alam, 2006, Bismark et al, 2014.…”

Breast Cancer Awareness among Turkish Nursing Students

“…However according to the various research studies the efforts directed at letting women develop a favorable attitude towards the early diagnosis of breast cancer have not been very adequate. The results of the studies carried out all over the world reports the frequency of BSE to vary between 41.2 % and 83.5 % while the results of the studies carried out in Turkey shows that the frequency of having BSE done at least once varies between 40.9 % and 66.2 % while the frequency of having BSE done regularly every month has varied between 10.2 % and 24.5 % (Findik and Turan, 2000;Cadir et al, 2004;Alam, 2006;Secginli and Nahcivan, 2006).…”