Abstract

Background and Aims:
Breast Cancer is the most commonly diagnosed and the leading cause of death among women in Saudi Arabia. Population based screening ensures early detection and prevention. The aim of this study to determine awareness and screening practices of breast cancer among female staff of Health Science Colleges of Majmaah University.

Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among female teaching staff of Health Science Colleges of Majmaah University. Data was collected using a validated questionnaire. A total of 108 females participated in this study.

Results:
The mean age of total 108 participants is 34.2 years (SD ± 8.5), 60 (55.5%) were between 40 and 60 years of age, and 48 (44.4%) were between 20 and 40 years. Participants overall level of awareness was good. Of the total participants 63 (58.3%) of them were aware of BC risk factors, 86 (79.6%) knew signs or symptoms and 51 (47.2%) were aware of screening methods. A significant correlation was found between awareness of clinical breast examination and mammogram (p < 0.05). However, the practices of clinical breast examination and mammography were low (14.9 % & 7.4%). The absence of signs or symptoms was the most common reason for not practicing clinical breast examination (78.7%) and mammography (81.5%). Awareness of non-invasive cancer screening blood tests was low.

Conclusions:
All the participants had good awareness of breast cancer and screening methods; however, awareness of non-invasive screening blood tests was low. The practice of screening methods could have been better.

Key words: Breast Cancer, early detection, risk factors, screening methods, non-invasive blood test.