Age and Education Influencing Willingness in Men to Recommend Breast Cancer Screening: A Comparative Study of University Personnel and Clinical Attendees.

PURPOSE

Breast cancer is a major global health concern. In some societies, male family members influence women's healthcare decisions, yet their awareness and attitudes toward breast cancer screening remain poorly understood. Our research aimed to analyze awareness, knowledge, and willingness to recommend breast cancer screening among men from two distinct populations, and to examine how age and educational level influence willingness to recommend breast examinations for female family members.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This prospective cross-sectional survey study included male academic staff at a university (University Personnel Group, n=105) and male patients visiting a hospital policlinic with non-breast-related complaints along with their male companions (Clinical Attendee Group, n=100). A 10-item structured questionnaire assessed demographics, knowledge about breast cancer, and attitudes toward mammography screening using statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Both groups demonstrated similar knowledge levels regarding breast cancer frequency in women (55%), male breast cancer occurrence (45%), and annual mammography necessity (~52%). The clinical attendee group showed significantly greater willingness to recommend breast examinations compared to the university personnel group (94.0% vs 74.3%, p<0.001). In the clinical attendee group, willingness increased with age (88.9% in ages 15-25 to 100% in ages 40+), showing a significant positive trend (p<0.05). The university personnel group exhibited peak willingness (87.1%) in the 25-40 age group, with lower rates in other age categories. Educational status strongly influenced willingness in the university personnel group, increasing from 33.3% at high school level to 87.8% at Master's/Ph.D. level, while the clinical attendee group maintained high willingness (91.7-100%) across all education levels.

CONCLUSION

Our findings show patterns of breast cancer awareness and screening recommendation willingness between clinical attendees and university personnel. While basic knowledge about breast cancer was similar, willingness to recommend screening differed significantly, with age and education having differential impacts between groups.