Breast cancer. Knowledge, attitudes and practices of breast self examination among women in Qassim region of Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE: To determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of women in Qassim region regarding breast self examination (BSE), and also to explore their level of knowledge regarding breast cancer.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey during the period from May to June 2005, among Saudi female patients attending the Primary Health Care Centers of Qassim region. A total of 300 females, 20-70 years of age, were interviewed in 10 randomly selected primary health care centers.

RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 36.2 ± 10.2 years, and 70.7% of them were literate. Regarding the knowledge of risk factors, 76% of the respondents had 3 or more correct answers out of the total 7 questions. Twenty-six percent of the respondents did not know the presenting symptom of breast cancer. Whereas, 69.7% of the participants had never heard of BSE. The participants had a positive attitude towards learning BSE. Of the total respondents, 18.7% reported that they practice BSE, majority (57%) of whom had started performing it within the previous year. However, 74% of the respondents did not have access to breast health information.

CONCLUSION: This study concludes that the level of awareness of the females of Qassim region regarding breast cancer and BSE is not adequate and a health education program for this subject should be introduced in the region.