RESUMO
Background: breast cancer is a progressive disease, there are three screening tests essential for early detection; clinical breast examination [CBE], X-ray mammography and breast self-examination [BSE]. Lack of knowledge and wrong beliefs about cancer breast prevention among women affect adversely on their perception of cure from early detection of the cancer and of screening tests effectiveness
Aim of the work: this baseline study aimed to assess the awareness of females in Al-Ahsa about breast cancer and their practice of BSE
Materials and Methods: this was a cross-sectional research, a self-administered survey was used a questionnaire was distributed to 400 females aged between 20 and 70 years. The questionnaire was divided into three domains: socio-demographic characteristics, the respondent's knowledge of breast cancer and BSE and their experience of breast cancer screening and breast self-examination [BSE]. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23
Results: the overall response rate was 93.3%. Approximately half of the respondents were highly educated [Bachelor degree] 109 [59.6 %]. Of 319 female that responded only 98 [39.7%] had good awareness of breast cancer. 281 [88.1%] perceived the cause to be brought about by smoking. This was followed, in descending order, by 272 [85.3%] who felt that the old age caused breast cancer, 264 respondents [82.8%] attributed the cause to hereditary, 211 [66.1%] attributed the cause to oral contraceptive use. Most of the participants were aware about the protective effect of the breast feeding and multiparty against breast cancer, 306 [95.9%], 247 [77.4%] respectively Overall, 114 [35.7%] of the participants aware of breast cancer knew of BSE as a method for the early detection of breast cancer and only 14 [4.4%] had ever performed
Conclusion: the current status of awareness of breast cancer in Al-Ahsa and their use of BSE are insufficient. Women need to be encouraged to self-monitor in order to detect abnormalities in their breasts. Appropriate educational interventions are urgently required to encourage women to engage in regular BSE