The beliefs and attitudes of Saudi women toward mammography

Abstract

Background: \nBreast cancer is a progressive disease. Mammography has been related to a diminished danger of death from breast cancer. Lack of knowledge and wrong beliefs about breast cancer prevention among women has adverse effect on their perception of cure from early detection of cancer and screening tests effectiveness. This study was done to assess the beliefs of Saudi women towards the mammography, and to determine their attitude through mammography screening. \nMethodology: \nThis was a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was distributed to 228 females aged between 25-50 years during Oct. 2018 to Nov 2018. The study was conducted among the Saudi mothers in King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital. \nResults: \nThe women of the present study had good beliefs (45.19±4.756) about screening by mammogram. Education level was highly associated with the beliefs about breast cancer mammogram; the highest score that denoted favorable attitudes reported with postgraduate high education (47.65±4.9, P < 0.0001). Age and family history of breast cancer of participants was not associated (P= 0.28, P=0.473) with their beliefs regarding breast cancer mammogram. \nConclusion: \nThe women of the present study have good beliefs about screening by mammogram. Educational level was highly associated with the beliefs about breast cancer mammogram; the highest score that denotes favorable attitudes were reported with postgraduate high education. Age and family history of breast cancer of participant women was not associated with their beliefs regarding breast cancer mammogram.