Abbas Maram O, Beshir Semira, Assadi Rizah Anwar, Anis Maimouna, Yahya Hana, Khusrau Naiba, Ali Haneen Badreldin, Al-Helo Hanan, Younis Tallal
Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Dubai Pharmacy College for Girls, Dubai Medical University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
BMC Public Health. 2025 Jul 29;25(1):2569. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-23807-9.
Effective breast cancer (BC) control relies on the uptake of preventive measures, engagement with screening practices, and informed risk communication. This study examined breast cancer (BC) preventive measures and screening practices undertaken by women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as well as the BC risk assessment and screening recommendations provided by their healthcare providers.
This cross-sectional study was conducted among women aged 35 years and older in the UAE. Data collection utilised a validated and self-administered online questionnaire. BC risk was assessed using the Gail Model, which calculated lifetime and 5-year risk estimates. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression to evaluate associations and identify key factors influencing risk and preventive measures.
A total of 1,049 women participated; 59% were aged 40–69 years, and 41% were under 40 years. High 5-year and lifetime breast cancer (BC) risks were identified in 8.2% and 4.6% of participants, respectively. Women aged 40–69 were significantly more likely to pursue preventive measures and screening practices, undergo BC risk assessments, and receive screening recommendations from healthcare providers. However, most participants reported rarely or never undergoing mammography (68%), clinical breast exams (68%), or breast self-exams (56%). Moreover, 54% were not informed of their BC risk, 61% did not undergo a risk assessment, and 40% did not receive screening recommendations from healthcare providers. Women at high BC risk were more likely to undergo risk assessment, receive provider recommendations, and engage in screening activities.
While women at high BC risk were more engaged in risk assessment and screening, the overall uptake of preventive and screening practices across the study participants was suboptimal. These findings highlight the need for improved public health strategies and greater provider engagement in BC risk communication and prevention efforts.
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-025-23807-9.
有效的乳腺癌（BC）控制依赖于预防措施的采用、参与筛查实践以及进行充分的风险沟通。本研究调查了阿拉伯联合酋长国（UAE）女性采取的乳腺癌（BC）预防措施和筛查实践，以及她们的医疗服务提供者提供的BC风险评估和筛查建议。
这项横断面研究在阿联酋35岁及以上的女性中进行。数据收集采用了经过验证的自填式在线问卷。使用盖尔模型评估BC风险，该模型计算终生和5年风险估计值。数据分析包括描述性统计、卡方检验和逻辑回归，以评估关联并确定影响风险和预防措施的关键因素。
共有1049名女性参与；59%的年龄在40 - 69岁之间，41%的年龄在40岁以下。分别有8.2%和4.6%的参与者被确定为5年和终生患乳腺癌（BC）风险较高。40 - 69岁的女性更有可能采取预防措施和进行筛查实践、接受BC风险评估以及从医疗服务提供者那里获得筛查建议。然而，大多数参与者报告很少或从未进行过乳房X光检查（68%）、临床乳房检查（68%）或乳房自我检查（56%）。此外，54%的人未被告知其BC风险，61%的人未进行风险评估，40%的人未从医疗服务提供者那里获得筛查建议。BC风险高的女性更有可能进行风险评估、接受提供者建议并参与筛查活动。
虽然BC风险高的女性更积极参与风险评估和筛查，但整个研究参与者中预防和筛查实践的总体采用情况并不理想。这些发现凸显了改进公共卫生策略以及医疗服务提供者更多地参与BC风险沟通和预防工作的必要性。
在线版本包含可在10.1186/s12889-025-23807-9获取的补充材料。
