Exploring the Relationship Between Breast Cancer Awareness, Health Perceptions, Religious Beliefs, and Mammography Utilization Among Saudi Women
1
Nursing, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
Breast cancer is the leading cancer among women globally [1]. In Saudi Arabia, limited participation in mammography screening often results in diagnoses at advanced stages, worsening outcomes and increasing mortality [1,2]. Although some research has addressed this issue, most studies have primarily focused on knowledge alone, neglecting other influential elements such as cultural, religious, and health-related beliefs unique to the Saudi context [3-6]. This study investigates how mammogram utilization is associated with sociodemographic characteristics, breast cancer awareness, religious perspectives, and health beliefs among Saudi women.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional design was employed using a self-administered online questionnaire. Participants included women aged 40 to 60 years with no history of breast cancer, all raised in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Data were gathered at a prominent Saudi hospital from January to April 2024, after obtaining electronic informed consent. Logistic regression was used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS:
Out of 251 Saudi women surveyed, 30% had ever undergone a mammogram, while just 14% had done so in the past year. Significant predictors of screening uptake included being aged 40–49, having a designated primary care provider, and preferring a female physician. Awareness of breast cancer warning signs and risk factors was strongly associated with both lifetime and recent mammogram screening (OR = 2.389 and OR = 3.328, respectively; p < .001), and these findings held after adjusting for other variables (OR = 2.036 and OR = 2.288, respectively). Belief in the benefits of mammography also predicted having undergone the procedure at least once (OR = 2.261; p < .001), remaining significant after adjustments (OR = 1.870), though it did not predict recent screening.
CONCLUSIONS:
Increasing awareness of breast cancer, addressing health beliefs, and tailoring interventions to sociodemographic factors—especially through nurses and healthcare providers—could enhance participation in regular screening.
Breast cancer is the leading cancer among women globally [1]. In Saudi Arabia, limited participation in mammography screening often results in diagnoses at advanced stages, worsening outcomes and increasing mortality [1,2]. Although some research has addressed this issue, most studies have primarily focused on knowledge alone, neglecting other influential elements such as cultural, religious, and health-related beliefs unique to the Saudi context [3-6]. This study investigates how mammogram utilization is associated with sociodemographic characteristics, breast cancer awareness, religious perspectives, and health beliefs among Saudi women.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional design was employed using a self-administered online questionnaire. Participants included women aged 40 to 60 years with no history of breast cancer, all raised in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Data were gathered at a prominent Saudi hospital from January to April 2024, after obtaining electronic informed consent. Logistic regression was used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS:
Out of 251 Saudi women surveyed, 30% had ever undergone a mammogram, while just 14% had done so in the past year. Significant predictors of screening uptake included being aged 40–49, having a designated primary care provider, and preferring a female physician. Awareness of breast cancer warning signs and risk factors was strongly associated with both lifetime and recent mammogram screening (OR = 2.389 and OR = 3.328, respectively; p < .001), and these findings held after adjusting for other variables (OR = 2.036 and OR = 2.288, respectively). Belief in the benefits of mammography also predicted having undergone the procedure at least once (OR = 2.261; p < .001), remaining significant after adjustments (OR = 1.870), though it did not predict recent screening.
CONCLUSIONS:
Increasing awareness of breast cancer, addressing health beliefs, and tailoring interventions to sociodemographic factors—especially through nurses and healthcare providers—could enhance participation in regular screening.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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