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Assessing Syrian women's knowledge of breast cancer risk factors, warning signs, and barriers to preventive measures: A cross-sectional study

journal contribution
submitted on 2024-01-21, 08:58 and posted on 2024-01-21, 09:38 authored by Haidara Bohsas, Hidar Alibrahim, Sarya Swed, Ubaid Khan, Mohamad Al Ibrahim, Abdulqadir J. Nashwan, Shatha Hodaifah, Aya AlAli, Najwa Alhalaky, Bisher Sawaf, Mhd Baraa Habib, Sherihan Fathey, Gowhar Rashid, Wael Hafez

Background

This study aims to investigate the knowledge of Syrian women about breast cancer risk factors, warning signals, and barriers. Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide and the leading cause of cancer death among women. It develops when cells in the breast tissue grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor that can spread to other parts of the body.

Materials and Methods

This survey was conducted online from September 3 to September 27, 2022, and focused on Syrian women over the age of 18. It was divided into two sections, one focusing on sociodemographic characteristics and the other on breast cancer risk factors, warning signals, and barriers.

Results

This study found that the majority of the 1305 participants had inadequate knowledge of breast cancer risk factors, warning signs, and barriers. Those with higher levels of education, such as Ph.D. students, had the highest overall scores. The sample was mostly made up of housewives, married women, and women with moderate monthly incomes.

Conclusion

This research found that Syrian women have inadequate knowledge about breast cancer, including risk factors, warning signs, and barriers. To reduce mortality rates, increase survival rates, and improve early diagnosis, local health organizations should provide awareness courses to emphasize the importance of annual breast exams.

Other Information

Published in: Cancer Treatment and Research Communications
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
See article on publisher's website: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ctarc.2023.100717

Funding

Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library.

History

Language

  • English

Publisher

Elsevier

Publication Year

  • 2023

License statement

This Item is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Institution affiliated with

  • Hamad Medical Corporation
  • Hamad General Hospital - HMC

Geographic coverage

Syria

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    Hamad Medical Corporation

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