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Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Concerning Breast Cancer and Self Examination Among Females in UAE

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Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most prevalent cancers and the leading cause of cancer related deaths among women worldwide with a steadily increasing global annual incidence. This study aims is to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of females in the UAE toward BC and Breast Self-Examination practice in the seven Emirates. This was a face-to-face questionnaire-based study using CAM (Breast Cancer Awareness Measure) conducted over 3 months (from March to June 2019) on a random sample of females across the UAE. Of the 400 females who filled the questionnaire, 112 (28%) did the CBE at least once, and 184 (46%) practice BSE. Only 33% of participants were aware of the incidence of the BC in the UAE and those females were more likely to practice BSE (P < 0.05). In contrast, the majority showed a high awareness level in identifying cancer as a curable (91.5%) and non-transmittable (87%) disease that can be diagnosed at its earlier stages (93%). Only 11% of the participants identified weight reduction as a way to prevent BC. Knowledge of breast cancer sign/symptoms were good, as 41–87% of respondents were able to identify at least a single sign/symptom. The lack of awareness of BC among females in the UAE is of concern as it leads to low practices of screening and early detection, which ultimately will result in increased morbidity, mortality, and treatment costs. Further initiatives should be taken to increase practice, knowledge and awareness on early detection and screening for BC in the UAE community.

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Abbreviations

BC:

Breast cancer

Breast CAM:

Breast cancer awareness measure

BSE:

Breast self-examination

CBE:

Clinical breast examination

KAP:

Knowledge, attitude and practice

UAE:

United Arab Emirates

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, 112612, UAE

    Zelal Kharaba, Azza Ramadan, Rose Ghemrawi & Ahmad Z. Al Meslamani

  2. Faculty of Medical Sciences, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Tyne, UK

    Zelal Kharaba

  3. Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ajman University, Ajman, UAE

    Manal Ali Buabeid

  4. Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE

    Ahmad Al-Azayzih

  5. Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan

    Ahmad Al-Azayzih

  6. Department of Dental Surgery, City University College of Ajman, Ajman, UAE

    Yassen Alfoteih

  7. Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, 112612, UAE

    Zelal Kharaba

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  1. Zelal Kharaba
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Correspondence to Zelal Kharaba.

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Kharaba, Z., Buabeid, M.A., Ramadan, A. et al. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Concerning Breast Cancer and Self Examination Among Females in UAE. J Community Health 46, 942–950 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-021-00969-2

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