Barriers to Using Breast Cancer Screening Methods Among Adult Females in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Breast cancer (BC) is a leading global cause of morbidity and mortality.
• Early detection through screening methods like breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE), and mammography significantly improves survival rates.
• Adherence to regular breast cancer screening remains a challenge for many women worldwide.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of breast cancer screening practices among women in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
• To identify the perceived barriers to breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE), and mammography in this population.
• To inform the development of targeted educational interventions for breast cancer early detection.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from December 2021 to July 2022.
• An online, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 328 respondents.
• Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.

Main Results:

• Only 18.9% of respondents reported regular mammography, 14.3% regular CBE, and 38.1% regular BSE.
• The most recognized BC warning sign was a lump under the armpit (69.1%).
• Key barriers included fear of results for BSE (47%), embarrassment for CBE (45.9%), and embarrassment (36%) and pain (32.6%) for mammography.

Conclusions:

• Psychological concerns and fear of results are significant barriers to breast self-examination (BSE).
• Embarrassment and procedural pain are major deterrents for clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography.
• Targeted educational programs are crucial to enhance knowledge and public awareness regarding breast cancer screening in Jeddah.