RESUMO
Background: Assessing the knowledge, attitude and practices of Saudi women toward breast cancer preventive practices improve the possibility of reducing the percentage of deaths from breast cancer as well as its prevalence
Objectives: Evaluating the knowledge and attitude and practice [KAP] towards breast cancer screening among female in Abha city in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA]
Methods: A cross-sectional study was done and based on a questionnaire sheet conducted in Abha City during the period of September to November 2017 among421 educated Saudi women aged from 20-60 years old
Results: The female's knowledge about the symptoms was restricted to pain in the breast and presence of lump either in the breast or under the armpit, but most of them underestimated the other signs of breast cancer including changing the position and pulling of the nipple, bleeding or discharge from the nipple, nipple rash and redness of the breast. Also, the most significant identified risk factors for breast cancer were family history [59.1%] followed by using hormonal replacement therapy [30.2%]. Most of the subjects has negative attitude toward using mammography for screening while a positive attitude was shown toward seeking for medication. The KAP score was adequate among only 32.5% of the subjects toward breast cancer
Conclusion: The level of knowledge about breast cancer was insufficient among the included subjects and resulted in inappropriate attitude and practice pattern.The majority have never checked for breast cancer or either admitted to clinical examination of breast using mammography screening technique