Are women in Kuwait aware of breast cancer and its diagnostic procedures?

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2014;15(15):6307-13. doi: 10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.15.6307.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the knowledge and awareness of women in Kuwait with regard to risk factors, symptoms and diagnostic procedures of breast cancer. A total of 521 questionnaires were distributed among women in Kuwait. Results showed that 72% of respondents linked breast cancer factors to family history, while 69.7% scored abnormal breast enlargement as the most detectable symptom of the disease. Some 84% of participants had heard about self-examination, but knowledge about mammograms was limited to 48.6% and only 22.2% were familiar with diagnostic procedures. Some 22.9% of respondents identified the age over 40 years as the reasonable age to start mammogram screening. Risk factor awareness was independent on age groups (p>0.05), but both high education and family history increased the likelihood of postivie answers; the majority knew about a few factors such as aging, pregnancy after age 30, breast feeding for short time, menopause after age of 50, early puberty, and poor personal hygiene. In conclusion, 43.1% of participants had an overall good knowledge of breast cancer with regards to symptoms, risk factors and breast examination. Very highly significant associations (p<0.005) were evident for all groups except for respondents distributed by nationality (p=0.444). Early campaigns for screening the breast should be recommended to eliminate the confusion of wrong perceptions about malignant mammary disease.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Awareness
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Breast Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Breast Neoplasms / psychology
  • Breast Self-Examination / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Early Detection of Cancer
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Health Education
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Mammography / statistics & numerical data*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Pregnancy
  • Prognosis
  • Surveys and Questionnaires