Knowledge and Perceptions of Common Breast Cancer Risk Factors in Northern Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women around the world. The degree of adoption of a preventive lifestyle offers valuable information for planning appropriate intervention programs for improving women’s health. The objective of the present study was to assess the levels of breast cancer related knowledge among a Northern Saudi population. METHODOLOGY: In this cross sectional study, data were obtained from 566 Saudi volunteers living in the city of Hail, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). RESULTS: With regard to breast cancer risk factors, 427/566 (75.4%) of participants answered in the affirmative to whether breast cancer could be inherited. For early puberty and late menopause, 209/566 (37%) were in agreement with increased risk, for low and delayed child birth, 261/566 (46%), and for overweight and obesity, 210/566(37%). For the question of whether natural breast feeding can reduce the risk of breast cancer, only 35/566 (6.2%) said yes. CONCLUSION: There is a general lack of knowledge regarding several BC risk factors among the northern Saudi community which necessitates urgent implementation of educational programs.