Knowledge and Practice Concerning Breast Cancer Risk Factors and Screening among Females in UAE

Abstract

Breast cancer is considered the most dangerous cancer for women, driving the highest number of mortalities in women worldwide. According to the WHO 2020 report, breast cancer showed the highest five-year prevalence in the UAE, among other cancers. This research assessed breast cancer awareness, potential risk factors, screening approaches and practices, barriers to screening, and attitudes toward seeking medical help among UAE women. A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted through a web-based validated questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS version 27. The questionnaire was sent through social media platforms. The eligible completed were 616 responses. This study showed a prevalence of breast cancer of 3.1% among the study population. Regarding Breast cancer knowledge, most of the participants, 65.8% had moderate knowledge, 19% had poor knowledge, and only 7.6% had good knowledge. Breast cancer screening methods were the most recognized section at 76%, followed by knowledge of symptoms and while the least known section was the BC risk factors. Twenty-five percent of respondents had at least one breast cancer symptom. About 37.1% of women aged more than 40 years had never undergone mammography. In potential, most participants and 81.7% were having more than five of the BC risk factors had adequate knowledge about breast cancer with relatively higher knowledge scores for screening methods and symptoms. Participants who received information from healthcare providers or attended awareness events had a higher knowledge score. In contrast, insufficient mammography screening had been revealed. At the same time, potential risk evaluation revealed a high percentage of participants suffering from many potential risk factors.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Women in the UAE Towards Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…28 Another possible reason could be lack of awareness of the breast cancer risk factors among women, as revealed in a recent study. 29 The Pap smear uptake was also found to be lower to what other studies had reported within the UAE and other GCC countries. 12,15,16 The reasons behind lower cervical screening warrant need of further exploration, as evidence indicates the effect of sociocultural barriers on uptake.…”

The triad of knowledge, regular medical consultation, and recommendations for enhanced breast cancer screening intention in Morocco

“…These results are similar to those found in the UAE, where 65% of women demonstrated moderate knowledge. Additionally, 7.6% had good knowledge, and only 19% had poor knowledge (Abbas and Baig 2023 ). In contrast to a study in Syria that showed women had inadequate knowledge regarding breast cancer and its characteristics, such as risk factors, warning signals, and challenges of seeking medical care (Bohsas et al 2023 ).…”

“…A study conducted in the UAE showed that women aged between 46 and 55, with a higher level of education, who received regular information from healthcare professionals, or attended awareness events, had a higher level of knowledge scores (Abbas and Baig 2023 ).…”

Dietary Patterns Associated with Breast Cancer in the Middle East: A Scoping Review

“…However, a study in Iran failed to capture any association and is attributed to a lower average fruit and vegetable intake in the region compared to other regions and the suggestions of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and WHO [ 41 ]. The adequate intake of dietary fiber can cut the danger of BC by 12% [ 42 ]. In the Middle East, whole grains, the primary source of dietary fiber are consumed less than the recommended daily intake of 50 g [ 43 ].…”