BARRIERS TO BREAST CANCER SCREENING AND TREATMENT AMONG WOMEN IN EMIRATE OF ABU DHABI (original) (raw)
International Conference on Public Health, 2018
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignant disease among women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the incidence rate is rising. Breast cancer early detection practices through regular screening have been found to reduce morbidity and mortality from this disease. This study aims to explore the knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and practices towards breast cancer and its screening methods among women living in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK). One hundred and two women who met the study's inclusion criteria were interviewed. Pearson's chi-squared test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed in the statistical analysis. Relatively low participation rates in breast cancer screening practices (BCSP) were found. Women who stated that their doctors talked to them about breast cancer were significantly more likely to undergo BCSP (p <0.05). Fear of being diagnosed with breast cancer, lack of a doctor's recommendation and perceived discomfort with breast screening were strongly associated with not planning to practice clinical breast examination (CBE) or mammography screening in the following 12 months. The study findings indicated that RAK women's knowledge and practice of breast cancer early detection screenings are currently inadequate. Establishing a culturally acceptable health education program with appropriate interventions is required.
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to breast cancer screening: a survey of Arabic women
Journal of cancer education : the official journal of the American Association for Cancer Education, 2001
Incorporating breast cancer screening into day-to-day clinical care leads to early diagnosis and decreases mortality. Patients' participation in screening depends on their knowledge and attitudes, other barriers, and physician behavior. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, barriers, and practices related to breast cancer screening among Arabic women. A convenience sample was selected from 1,750 women aged 40-65 years who, for any reason, attended primary health care (PHC) clinics in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Of the 1,750 invited women, 1,445 agreed to participate; 78 were excluded from analysis because of histories of breast cancer. Breast self-examination (BSE) was practiced by 12.7% of the study population, clinical breast examination (CBE) by 13.8%, and mammography by 10.3%. Knowledge about breast cancer screening was low in the study population. Women were infrequently instructed about or offered screening for breas...
BMC Women's Health, 2013
Background: Despite rising breast cancer incidence and mortality rates, breast cancer screening (BCS) rates among women in Qatar remain low. Previous studies indicate the need to better understand the many complex beliefs, values, and attitudes that influence Arab women's health seeking behavior for the development of culturally appropriate and effective intervention strategies to address breast cancer in the Middle East. This study investigates beliefs, attitudes, and BCS practices of Arabic-speaking women in Qatar. Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional quantitative survey of 1,063 (87.5% response rate) Arabic-speaking female Qatari citizens and non-Qatari residents, 35 years of age or older, was conducted in Qatar from March 2011 to July 2011. Associations between beliefs and BCS practice were estimated using chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Participants who adhered to BCS guidelines (BCS practice = Yes) were compared to those who did not (BCS practice = No).
The Gulf journal of oncology, 2018
BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the principal cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide. Among Emirati females, breast cancer ranked first accounting for 23.1% of the total cancers. Around 58% of the cases occurred were reported from northern emirates. United Arab Emirates is having higher percentage of expat female population than Emirati women. There is lack of data regarding the knowledge and attitude about breast cancer in this mixed population. AIM The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and attitude of women towards breast cancer, risk factors and the screening program in women above the age of 19 years residing in northern emirates of the UAE. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a multi-center based study conducted in selected northern emirates of the UAE. This study employed cross-sectional design involving women above the age of 19 years. The study was conducted among 400 women who attended three hospitals in Ajman, Sharjah and Fujairah. Pretested, content validated q...
Study exploring breast cancer screening practices amongst Arabic women living in the State of Qatar
Avicenna, 2011
Breast cancer is a public health threat in the State of Qatar. It is the most common cancer and the incidence rate is increasing. It has been found that women often present with breast cancer at advanced stages in Qatar. Early detection of breast cancer is an important prognostic factor and breast cancer screening has been found successful in decreasing mortality rates. The percentage of women in Qatar engaging in screening activities is alarmingly low. A study has been designed to examine barriers and facilitators that are potentially influencing women in participating in breast cancer screening activities. Understanding these barriers and facilitators is essential in order to create a culturally appropriate and effective intervention that can encourage women in Qatar to participate in screening activities. In this paper the background to the study is presented which highlights the magnitude of the breast cancer problem in Qatar and offers the rationale and information for this potentially groundbreaking study.
Perceived barriers to breast cancer screening among Saudi women at primary care setting
PubMed, 2018
Introduction: Screening for breast cancer (BC) is of low rate in Saudi Arabia; although it is provided in the country free of charge to the population. This cross-sectional study aimed at investigating the perceived barriers towards BC screening in Al Hassa, Saudi Arabia.Participants and methods. A total of 816 adult Saudi women aged ≥ 30 years attending for routine primary health services or accompanying patients at the selected primary health care centers (PHCs) were randomly selected from 12 PHCs (8 urban and four rural) using multi-stage sampling method. Participants were invited to personal interview using semi-structured data collection instrument including inquiries about socio-demographics, reproductive history, previous histories of diagnosed breast lesions and breast cancer. The perceived individual barriers towards screening, their attitudes, the reasons for not attending previously held screening campaigns in Al Hassa, were also included. Results: Low utilization of BC screening being significantly positively associated with woman's age, higher educational status, higher family income, using hormonal contraception and positive history of previous breast as shown by the results of the logistic regression model. Exploratory factor analysis showed that personal fears (especially fear of doctors/examiners, fear of hospitals and health facilities and fear of consequences/results) were the major factors that hinder women from utilizing the free of charge BC screening with high loading eigenvalue of 3.335, explaining 30.4% of the barriers. Conclusions: Educational interventions aim at improving breast cancer knowledge and addressing barriers should be incorporated as core component of the screening program in Saudi Arabia.
Avicenna, 2012
Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the State of Qatar, and the incidence rate is rising. Previous findings indicate women in Qatar are often diagnosed with breast cancer at advanced stages and their participation rates in screening activities are low. Purpose: To investigate within the State of Qatar Arabic women's knowledge regarding breast cancer and breast cancer screening (BCS) methods and their participation rates in BCS. This paper reports on the results of a cross-sectional survey. Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional interview survey was conducted with 1,063 Arabic women (Qatari citizens and non-Qatari Arabic-speaking residents), 35 years of age or older, from March 2011 to July 2011. Results: Of the 1,063 women interviewed (87.5% response rate), 90.7% were aware of breast cancer; 7.6% were assessed with having basic knowledge of BCS, 28.9% were aware of breast self-examination (BSE), 41.8% were aware of clinical breast exams (CBE), and 26.9% were aware of mammograms. Of the women interviewed, 13.8% performed BSE monthly, 31.3% had a CBE once a year or once every two years, and 26.9% of women 40 years of age or older had a mammogram once a year or once every two years. Participation rates in BCS activities were significantly related to awareness and knowledge of BCS, education levels, and receiving information about breast cancer, self-examination or mammography from any of a variety of sources, particularly physicians. Conclusions: Study results demonstrate that despite the existent breast cancer screening recommendations, less than one-third of Arabic women living in Qatar participate in BCS activities. Public health campaigns encouraging more proactive roles for health care professionals regarding awareness and knowledge of breast cancer, BCS, and the benefits of early detection of breast cancer will help increase screening rates and reduce mortality rates among Arabic women living in the State of Qatar.
Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP, 2014
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the State of Qatar. Due to low participation in breast cancer screening (BCS) activities, women in Qatar are often diagnosed with breast cancer at advanced stages of the disease. Findings indicate that low participation rates in BCS activities are significantly related to women's low level of awareness of breast cancer screening. The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine the factors that influence Qatari women's awareness of breast cancer and its screening activities: and (2) to find ways to effectively promote breast cancer screening activities among Arabic speaking women in Qatar. A multicenter, cross-sectional quantitative survey of 1,063 (87.5% response rate) female Qatari citizens and non-Qatari Arabic-speaking residents, 35 years of age or older, was conducted in Qatar from March 2011 to July 2011. Outcome measures included participant awareness levels of the most recent national recommended guidelines of...
Factors Influencing Awareness of Breast Cancer Screening among Arab Women in Qatar
2014
Knowledge of breast health and the benefits of breast cancer screening are important in facilitating breast cancer screening behavior (Bener et al., 2002; Soskolne et al., 2007). Early detection of breast cancer through regular screening activities such as breast self examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE), mammography, improvement of the quality of the screening activities, and enhanced treatment have been found to decrease mortality
Barriers to breast cancer screening among a sample of Egyptian females
Journal of Family and Community Medicine, 2014
Background: Breast cancer (BC) is usually diagnosed in late stages in countries with limited resources. Early detection of BC is likely to improve the outcome of the disease for women in these areas. Objective: The aim of this study was to understand the possible personal, economic, and systems barriers to BC screening in a sample of Egyptian women. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in family health centers representing the seven districts of Alexandria governorate, Egypt. A total of 612 women were randomly selected from the chosen centers. Results: In this sample of Egyptian women, the most frequently identified potential barriers to BC screening were the following: 81.8% would not seek care until they were ill, 77% were unwilling to have a mammogram until it was recommended by the doctor, 71.4% blamed the, lack of privacy, 69.2% thought that medical checkups were not worthwhile, and 64.6% blamed the cost of services. The study further revealed that women of lower education, women in the lower income category, women who did not do paid work, those who had poor knowledge of the risks of BC, and women with no family history of BC were more likely to perceive different screening barriers compared with their counterparts. Conclusion: Many potential personal, economic, and health system barriers were identified. Addressing these barriers by increasing the awareness of BC and dealing with the misconceptions that the women have can help the policy makers to design more culturally relevant strategies to motivate women to utilize screening services.