Background: Globally, breast cancer is the most frequent type of cancer among women. After lung cancer, it is the second cause of mortality. While breast cancer is growing at an alarming pace, this study measured women's knowledge in Saudi Arabia about its risk factors, preventive factors, symptoms, and advantage of breastfeeding.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out among females of the General Community in Saudi Arabia during the period between June 2019 and June 2020. Data were collected electronically, and a paperbased form was used for illiterate participants.
Results: A randomly selected sample of 1,021 Saudi female participants was included in this study. The age ranged from 20 to 30 years old, married, and from the western region. Less awareness of the risk factors was seen in the study; the highest correct responses were for benign breast tumors history (68.5%), oral contraceptive (70.9%), and obesity (74.7%). A higher tendency toward knowledge of preventive factors was found. Eight-hundred and thirteen (79.6%) agreed to breastfeed as a preventive factor. For breast cancer symptoms, the highest incorrect response was for breast lumps as one of the symptoms (18.5%).
Conclusion: The level of breast cancer knowledge of risk factors was moderately good and was higher for preventive factors and symptoms in Saudi women.
Key words: Breast cancer, Breast cancer risk factors, Breastfeeding, inverted nipple, Breast lump
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