Barriers and Attitudes toward Breast Cancer Screening among Omani Women

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer accounting for 24.5% of Omani female cancer. Early detection of BC through regular breast cancer screening (BCS) has been found to decrease mortality rates. The aim of this study was to identify knowledge, attitudes and barriers of Omani women toward BCS. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult Omani women attending the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH). Results: A total of 358 Omani women participated from 420 invited (response rate = 85.2%). Most women (92.1%) thought that BC could be cured if detected early, but less than half (46.8%) thought that they were at risk of BC if a relative had BC. The majority (81.1%) were aware that BCS was available in Oman, though less than half (48.5%) knew where to go for BCS and most (83.8%) had not undergone BCS before. The most common personal-related barriers to BCS were fear of BC diagnosis (40.8%), fear of treatment (52.1%) and embarrassment of the breast examination (46.6%). The most perceived system-related barriers to BCS were the concern over the availability of a male doctor (46.6%) or a non-Arabic speaking doctor (38.7%) and not recommended by the doctor (46.3%). Univariate binary logistic regression showed that attitudes toward BCS were influenced by their previous experiences of BCS (odds ratio [OR] = 2.28; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18-4.41) and their willingness to participate in the future BCS [OR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.14-3.37). Conclusion: Although Omani women showed an interest toward BCS, few had undergone BCS. Several cultural, practical and personal-related barriers were noted to interfere with BCS in Oman. Addressing these concerns through involving healthcare providers to reassure the women and implementing a national strategy of BCS could improve BCS screenings and early diagnosis of BC.

Evaluating the Knowledge and Attitude of Menopaused Women for Breast Cancer Screening: A Cross Sectional Study in Iran

“…While the majority of women had a positive attitude towards BC screening in the present study, the majority of women in the study by Al-Azri in Oman did not have a positive attitude towards BC screening (12). In Heena's study, more than half of the participants believed that they could not be diagnosed by BC screening (28).…”

“…Women in the Middle East face a number of psychosocial, cultural, and doctrinal challenges that lead to a negative attitude toward screening, resulting in delays in the diagnosis of BC and an increased risk of death (12). A closer look at women's knowledge and attitudes is useful to better understand how they decide whether or not to participate in BC screening (13).…”

Knowledge of symptoms, time to presentation and barriers to medical help-seeking among Omani women diagnosed with breast cancer: a cross-sectional study

“…Previous studies have reported similar findings. 15 25 Although a large proportion of women in this study were able to recognise that lumps in the breast or armpit were a possible symptom of BC, the majority were not aware of other symptoms such as fatigue, unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite. Indeed, less than half of the women reported having been aware of or knowledgeable regarding BC prior to their own diagnosis.…”

General Oncology Care in Oman

“…The patients who are cured of cancer follow in an outpatient clinic as per protocol and long-term survivors are followed in survivorship clinics or shifted to tertiary/primary care. A dedicated palliative care team is there for pain management, palliative symptom care, and end-of-life care once the patient is transited to palliative symptomatic care [18,19].…”

“…A cancer colon and Hepatocellular screening in susceptible population groups is evolving. A comprehensive Genetic center is recently established under MoH where tests and genetic counseling services are available for hereditary and familial cancers [18].…”