Department of Internal Medicine, MedStar Health, Baltimore, MD.
Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Feb 17;102(7):e32973. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000032973.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Positive family history increases the likelihood of developing this disease. As late-stage presentation and poor survival rates are associated with a lack of knowledge about breast cancer and its screening methods, this study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of Lebanese women with first-degree relatives who were diagnosed with breast cancer. In this cross-sectional study, 200 women with a positive family history accompanying their relatives to oncology clinics or the infusion center at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, completed an online survey after institutional review board approval was granted. Demographic information and answers to questions related to breast cancer risk factors, warning signs, and screening techniques were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Eighty-one percent of the study participants agreed that a history of breast cancer is associated with a higher disease risk. The smaller portions were aware of other potential risk factors, such as hormone replacement therapy, alcohol consumption, late menopause, early menarche, and overweight and sedentary lifestyles. Also, 93% to 96.5% of the participants recognized breast self-examination and mammography as useful tools for early detection. Furthermore, younger participants who reached university level and were employed had more insights into breast cancer. Breast cancer knowledge and early diagnosis are key elements in preventing late presentations and reducing the associated morbidity and mortality. Further educational and awareness campaigns should be conducted in Lebanon to improve women knowledge of breast cancer.
乳腺癌是女性最常见的癌症，也是全球癌症相关死亡的第二大主要原因。阳性家族史增加了患这种疾病的可能性。由于晚期表现和生存率较差与对乳腺癌及其筛查方法的了解不足有关，因此本研究旨在评估与乳腺癌诊断的一级亲属有阳性家族史的黎巴嫩妇女的知识水平。在这项横断面研究中，在获得机构审查委员会批准后，200 名女性陪同其亲属前往贝鲁特美国大学医学中心的肿瘤诊所或输液中心，完成了一项在线调查。收集并使用描述性统计和卡方检验分析了人口统计学信息以及与乳腺癌危险因素、警告信号和筛查技术相关的问题的答案。81%的研究参与者同意乳腺癌病史与更高的疾病风险相关。较小的部分人知道其他潜在的危险因素，如激素替代疗法、饮酒、晚绝经、早初潮、超重和久坐不动的生活方式。此外，93%至 96.5%的参与者认为乳房自我检查和乳房 X 线摄影是早期发现的有用工具。此外，达到大学水平和有工作的年轻参与者对乳腺癌有更多的了解。乳腺癌知识和早期诊断是预防晚期表现和降低相关发病率和死亡率的关键因素。黎巴嫩应开展进一步的教育和宣传活动，以提高妇女对乳腺癌的认识。
