TY - JOUR
T1 - What do Omani women know about breast cancer symptoms?
AU - Renganathan, Lakshmi
AU - Ramasubramaniam, Shanthi
AU - Al-Touby, Salem
AU - Seshan, Vidya
AU - Al-Balushi, Amal
AU - Al-Amri, Warda
AU - Al-Nasseri, Yusra
AU - Al-Rawahi, Yuthar
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2015, Oman Medical Specialty Board. All rights reserved.
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - 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<0.050), and family history of breast cancer (p =0.000, p<0.010) was significantly related to a higher knowledge level. Conclusion: The study revealed that there was lack of awareness and knowledge on breast cancer symptoms among Omani women. Breast cancer awareness and early detection through regular breast screening is important to reduce the mortality and morbidity of the disease.
AB - 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<0.050), and family history of breast cancer (p =0.000, p<0.010) was significantly related to a higher knowledge level. Conclusion: The study revealed that there was lack of awareness and knowledge on breast cancer symptoms among Omani women. Breast cancer awareness and early detection through regular breast screening is important to reduce the mortality and morbidity of the disease.
KW - Awareness
KW - Breast Cancer
KW - Knowledge
KW - Symptoms
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U2 - 10.5001/omj.2014.110
DO - 10.5001/omj.2014.110
M3 - Article
C2 - 25584157
AN - SCOPUS:84922261026
SN - 1999-768X
VL - 29
SP - 408
EP - 413
JO - Oman Medical Journal
JF - Oman Medical Journal
IS - 6
ER -