Survey on Knowledge and Attitudes Related to the Relationship between Smoking, Alcohol, Radiation, Cosmetics Use and Risk of Breast Cancer in the Northern Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths in females worldwide. Increased Knowledge about breast cancer associated risk factors will prevent a number of people from getting the disease.Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge and attitudes related to the relationship between smoking, alcohol, radiation, cosmetics use and risk of breast cancer in the Northern Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This is a descriptive cross sectional study conducted in Northern Saudi Arabia. Essential identification data about smoking, alcohol, radiation, cosmetics use as risk for breast cancer were took from 555 Saudi volunteers living in the city of Hail, Saudi Arabia. Results: When asking the participants the question "Do you think tobacco smoking can increase the risk of breast cancer?" Out of 549 respondents, 23.7% stated yes and the remaining 76.3% stated that smoking doesn't increase the risk of breast cancer. When the participants were asked "Do you think exposure to radiation increase the risk of breast cancer?" Out of 549 respondents, only 15.5% stated yes and the remaining 84.5% stated that radiation exposure doesn't increase the risk of breast cancer. When the participants were asked "Do you think exposure to some cosmetics usage increase the risk of breast cancer?" Out of 547 respondents, about 62.7% stated yes and the remaining 37.3% stated that cosmetic use doesn't increase the risk of breast cancer. Conclusion: Although, the great majority of study population were females, the knowledge level of breast cancer risk related to cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and radiation exposure is very low.

A cross-sectional study on breast cancer awareness among female students in Al-Rayan colleges in Al Medina Al Munawara

“…19 Participants' level of awareness regarding the association between poor physical activities, unhealthy lifestyles, being overweight, and obesity (BMI >25), more than half of participants were aware that it could be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer (54.3%), Similarly, in terms of smoking or alcohol consumption in the past or present, (64.6%) of participants were aware that it could be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer while looking to another study 76.3% of participants didn't agree. 20 When considering stress as a potential risk factor, 166 (57%) participants were aware that it could be a risk factor for breast cancer. Additionally, (60.1%, and 55.7% respectively) of participants were aware that high consumption of fatty food and low consumption of vegetables and fruits could be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, but different studies` results were varied whereas (76% and 3% respectively) of participants were aware of Low fiber diet and Fatty food consumption as risk factors.…”