Background: Breast cancer (BRCA) is the second most common type of cancer among females, with new cases recorded every year worldwide. Early detection of BRCA could lead to a better prognosis. Therefore, this study was conducted to measure the level of awareness and attitude towards seeking medical advice about BRCA and breast lumps in general.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted through questionnaire that was electronically distributed via social media applications among the female population in the Madinah region, Saudi Arabia, between March and May 2020. The questionnaire consisted of 23 questions regarding participantsÂ’ demographics, background knowledge about BRCA, and attitudes about seeking medical advice.
Results: Out of 402 participants, 49.3% had a high level of awareness. Around 87.8% were aware that a painless lump or thickening in the breast or armpit might indicate BRCA, and 68% knew that bleeding or discharge from the nipple is a warning sign of BRCA. And 73.6% participants stated that they would seek medical advice immediately if they noticed any sins. For participants who were 40 years old and above, only 16.8% reported that they get annual mammography screening.
Conclusion: In the current study, the collected evidence indicated that participants had inadequate knowledge about BRCA and a low prevalence of the practice of screening methods. These findings emphasize the importance of public education and encouraging annual screening.
Key words: Breast cancer, breast lump, awareness, Breast cancer screening, mammogram
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