title: Men's knowledge and attitude towards breast cancer in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify men's knowledge and attitude towards early detection of breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was conducted at the outpatient clinics of King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Five hundred and fifty participants were selected by systemic randomization. The distributed questionnaire included: demographics,  knowledge and its source on breast cancer, beliefs and practice regarding breast self-examination (BSE), mammography, and difficulties that may prevent women from seeking medical help. The questionnaire was filled anonymously and in private.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 90.9%, and most were employees (63.2%). Physicians represented 43.4% of the source of knowledge, followed by the internet (40.4%), and last, the media (30.4%). Breast mass was the most common symptom (36.6%), followed by change of breast size (26%) and pain (20.2%), while 24% did not know the symptoms of breast cancer. Approximately 13% believed that all cases of breast cancer ended with mastectomy. Only 57.6% were aware of the importance of BSE in early detection of breast cancer, and approximately 90% did not know the importance of mammography.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Awareness campaigns aimed at husbands and men in general are to be strongly considered. They should encourage their wives and families to enroll in awareness and screening campaigns.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, PO Box 140295, Jeddah 21333, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. dr.samia_amoudi@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Samia M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Al-Amoudi
authors.forename: Hassan S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Abduljabbar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016504:Breast Self-Examination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires