Knowledge and attitude of Women with Special needs towards breast Cancer in Saudi Arabia; A cross sectional study

Background and Objectives: Women with disabilities have lower rates of breast cancer screening than other healthy women and often face barriers to preventive health services. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude of early breast cancer detection and identify barriers against this detection among this group of women with special needs. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at Jeddah deaf and mute club, Saudi Arabia during the period from 2011 to 2012. Forty eight deaf and mute women were enrolled in the study. The distributed questionnaire was filled with the help of a nurse certified in sign language and the distributed questionnaire included demographic data, knowledge about breast cancer and its risk factors, beliefs and practice regarding breast self-examination (BSE) and mammography, in addition to obstacles preventing them from going to screening. Results: About two third of the participants have heard about breast cancer, physicians and relatives represented the main source of knowledge. Their knowledge about symptoms of breast cancer and its risk factors was poor. About two thirds of them stated that they do not believe in breast examination and its role in early detection of breast cancer. About 56% of them knew about BSE. The importance of mammogram was not known to 85.4%. The main three barriers that prevented participants from seeking for early detection of breast cancer were ignorance of its important (33.3%), shyness (31.3 %) and far distance from places of free mammography. Conclusions: Women with special needs can run the same risk of developing breast cancer like other healthy women. It is recommended that sign language be introduced as part of the health services in all aspect of our health care system. [Samia Mohammed Al-Amoudi. Knowledge and attitude of Women with Special needs towards breast Cancer in Saudi Arabia; A cross sectional study. Life Sci J 2012; 9(3): 1348-1352]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 194