Awareness and Attitudes Regarding Breast Self-Examination and Breast Cancer among Females in Alkharj
Saad M. Alshahrani
Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.
Alanoud Almutiran
College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.
Nehad J. Ahmed *
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: A large proportion of females diagnosed with progressed phases of the disease, which can be related to knowledge deficiency about screening importance. This study aimed to assess the awareness and attitudes about breast self-examination and breast cancer among females in Alkharj.
Methodology: This study was conducted using a self-administered survey that was adapted from previous studies conducted in Northeast Nigeria and Jordan. The data were collected using excel software and the descriptive data were represented as frequencies and percentages. Using Raosoft sample size calculator, the recommended sample size was 200.
Results: The majority of the respondents were in the age level between 20-39 (71.75%). Approximately 89% of the respondents said that they are aware of breast cancer but social media is the main source of their information (76.82%). About 54% of the females who filled the survey said that they heard about breast self-examination but without practicing it.
Conclusion: Females in Alkharj had good knowledge about BSE and breast cancer but social media is the main source of their information. Moreover, a significant percentage of females don’t practice BSE.
Keywords: Attitudes, awareness, breast cancer, breast self-examination.