What Do Omani Women Know about Breast Cancer Symptoms ?

• Published in: Oman medical journal 2014-11, Vol.29 (6), p.408-413
• Main Authors: Al-Touby , Salem, Al-Balushi , Amal, Al-Nasseri , Yusra, Ramasubramaniam , Shanthi, Al-Rawahi , Yuthar, Seshan , Vidya, Renganathan , Lakshmi, Al-Amri , Warda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Awareness; Breast; BREAST CANCER; Cancer; DEATH RATE; DIAGNOSIS; Knowledge; OMAN; Original; Physiological aspects; Study and teaching; SYMPTOMS; WOMEN; الأعراض; التشخيص; المرأة; سرطان الثدي; عمان; معدل الوفيات
• ISSN: 1999-768X; 2070-5204
• DOI: 10.5001/omj.2014.110

Objectives: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women worldwide. Studies to detect the awareness of breast cancer among Arab women are few and point to a lack of breast cancer knowledge among females. Early detection of breast cancer plays a leading role in reducing mortality rates and improving prognosis. This study aims to assess the knowledge and awareness of breast cancer symptoms among Omani women. Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey design was carried out in Muscat, Oman. The study was conducted at three health centers and three shopping malls using convenience sampling. A total of 369 women consented to be part of the study and completed a questionnaire. Responses to the questionnaire were summed to give an overall knowledge score. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, which was also analyzed statistically. Results: Among the total number of women 68 (19%) were calculated to have poor knowledge, 219 (59%) had average knowledge, 77 (21%) had good knowledge, and five (1%) had excellent knowledge on breast cancer. Among the variables, education status (p=0.002, p