<p>Do Men and Women in Saudi Arabia Have the Same Level of Awareness and Knowledge of Breast Cancer? A Cross-Sectional Study</p>

Abstract

Context: Awareness is important in combating breast cancer, as early detection (through mammograms) and prompt treatment offer the greatest chance of long-term survival. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess public knowledge of breast cancer (signs, symptoms, and risk factors) and awareness of screening programs; and compare it among men and women. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among male and female residents of five of the geographic regions of Saudi Arabia from February 2015 to May 2015. Information was collected using a questionnaire, and included sociodemographic data, general knowledge about breast cancer, and awareness of screening programs. Chi-square d test was used to compare the binary knowledge variables (correct/incorrect) between men and women. Logistic regression was utilized to assess predictors of breast cancer knowledge. Results: A total of 9691 men and 31,022 women were surveyed. Women had better knowledge regarding breast cancer symptoms than men, except for breast cancer being related to death. Men and women had similar knowledge of breast cancer risk factors; however, more women correctly identified family history (68%), large breast size (46%) as increasing risk, and breastfeeding (60%) as reducing the risk of breast cancer compared to men (56%, 32%, and 47%, respectively). Older age and higher education were related with high breast cancer knowledge, and it was more pronounced among men. Employment was a predictor for better knowledge among women. Participants with no history of breast cancer were less likely to have good breast cancer knowledge compared with those with a family history, (OR: 0.5, 95% CI: 0.5-0.6) and (OR: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.5-0.6) among men and women, respectively. More women (24%) than men (19%) knew of breast cancer screening programs, although the awareness was low in both genders. Conclusion: Awareness campaigns in Saudi Arabia, especially those aimed at men, remain critical to increase knowledge and change behavior toward early detection of breast cancer.

Analysis of Knowledge About Male Breast Cancer Among Patients at Tertiary Medical Center

“…Despite the low level of knowledge, our study noted that women had a higher level of awareness than men. The results of a study conducted in Saudi Arabia were similar to our findings ( Farsi et al, 2020 ). This finding can be explained by the fact that women acknowledge breast diseases more than men, and as a result, they are more open to knowledge.…”

“…Literature on male breast cancer awareness is limited. Awareness studies generally focused on male high school students ( Al-Amoudi et al, 2016 ), female teachers ( Al-Ismaili et al, 2020 ), migrant agricultural workers ( Furgurson et al, 2019 ), nursing students ( Yakar et al, 2021 ), women, and men ( Alsowiyan et al, 2020 ; Farsi et al, 2020 ), yet all these studies questioned breast cancer regardless of gender.…”

High Number of Familial Breast Cancer Cases in the Arabian Gulf Countries: Investigating the Reasons

“…Saeed et al 24 in 2014 reported that only 43.1% of women in Kuwait who participated in a survey related to BC awareness had overall good knowledge of BC with regard to symptoms, risk factors, and breast examination. Al Ramadhan 25 27 reported that the general knowledge among men and women regarding BC in SA is around 60% and 50%, respectively; knowledge of breast screening practices (selfexamination, clinical examination, and mammography) is around 24% and 19%, respectively.…”

“…Alkhawari et al 26 reported that only 7.8% of the target population of women between the age of 40 and 69 years participated in screening mammography in Kuwait between 2014 and 2019. Farsi et al 27 reported that the general knowledge among men and women regarding BC in SA is around 60% and 50%, respectively; knowledge of breast screening practices (self-examination, clinical examination, and mammography) is around 24% and 19%, respectively.…”

Got Pink? The Effectiveness of Health Awareness Campaigns on Breast Cancer (BC) Screening in Bahrain

“…Abu Awad et al ( 2020) investigated Emirati and non-Emirati women's attitudes towards BC screening and recommended using social media and WhatsApp intensively to distribute information. Farsi, Al-Wassia, and Merdad (2020) found that BC awareness campaigns in Saudi Arabia, directed at either men or women, remain overly critical in increasing knowledge and changing behaviour regarding the early detection of BC. In Jordan, the message content and the stimuli of these campaigns have the most significant role in encouraging women to early BC examination (Azzam & Al Hawamdeh 2019).…”