Women's knowledge of and attitude toward breast cancer in a developing country: Implications for program interventions — results based on interviewing 500 women in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

We interviewed 500 adult females without personal history of any type of cancer to assess their awareness and attitude toward various aspects of breast cancer. The mean age (SD) of participants was 31.6 (+/- 8.5) years with a range of 18 to 62 years. After control for level of education, age was not found to be a statistically significant factor that influenced participants' performance. Also not statistically significant was the history of having a relative who had cancer. Conversely, education was the only examined factor that correlated with interviewees' awareness and attitude. Individuals with university or higher education (level III) were more knowledgeable (statistically significant) than uneducated or those with only primary schooling (level I), or those participants who only had intermediate or high school education (level II). On the other hand, the responses of those individuals with education level I generally performed in a fashion similar to those at education level II. The general outcome of this exercise was that unacceptably high proportions of females at all education levels were either wrong or uncertain about some fundamental aspects of breast cancer etiology, risk factors, clinical features, detection methods, and management. Also shown was the relatively high percentages of those, particularly in education level I, who held misconceptions about unconventional management or the complications of conventional methods. We conclude that academic education alone is not enough to assure that recommended health behaviors will be adopted. For establishing cancer health education or cancer prevention and early detection programs, primary care physicians and community cancer centers should work jointly. Brief guidelines are proposed.

Pattern of presentation of breast cancer in Missan's women

“…This picture is similar to that study conducted at Egypt [2]. Urban areas had consistently higher incidence of breast cancer [1], [2], [8], [9], [14]. This might be related to higher exposure to xenoestrogens, as well as other endocrine disruptors and genotoxic substances [13].…”

“…Most of the patients were diagnosed in their forties, where the peak frequency occurred, while an obvious decline was displayed after the age of 60 years and this agree with [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], and [12]. This continuing trend for this disease to affect younger generations has been comprehensively illustrated in the Iraqi Cancer Registry [1] and other documented reports from neighboring countries [2], [9], [13], [14]. This picture differs from that displayed in reports from western and developed countries; where the peak incidence rates project decades later [3], [12].…”

“…This might be related to higher exposure to xenoestrogens, as well as other endocrine disruptors and genotoxic substances [13]. Regarding the histopathological point of view (44.5%, 55.6% and 60.5%) of the cases tested for estrogen, progesterone and HER 2 neu receptors were positive; these are similar to studies in [8], [9], and [14]. The most frequency grade was grade II and this agrees with another study conducted at Saudi Arabia [14].…”

Breast Cancer Awareness among Health Professionals

“…In a previous study, the participants, who were highly educated, had a higher erroneous response regarding the outcome of breast cancer, the potential risk factors, and the importance of mammography than the general population. 9 In the current study, it was expected that the results from the highly educated medical personnel would supersede those of the general population. On the contrary, the limited knowledge and misconception among these professionals was alarmingly disappointing, with only 17.3% performing the BSE at the proper time, and only 42.7% having agreed to a mammographic screening.…”

Breast Cancer Screening Practices Among First-Generation Immigrant Muslim Women

“…[45][46][47][48][49][50][51] Within the United States, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among SA women in California. 52 In the United Kingdom, the risk of breast cancer among SA women differs according to their specific ethnic subgroup; Muslim women from India and Pakistan are almost twice as likely to develop breast cancer as their counterparts.…”