Knowledge of symptoms, time to presentation and barriers to medical help-seeking among Omani women diagnosed with breast cancer: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To identify knowledge of breast cancer (BC) symptoms, time taken to consult a doctor and factors contributing to delays in medical help-seeking.

Design

A cross-sectional study of Omani women diagnosed with BC.

Setting

The two main teaching hospitals in Oman: Royal Hospital and Sultan Qaboos University Hospital.

Participants

Adult Omani women recently diagnosed with BC.

Tools

The Breast Module of the Cancer Awareness Measure and the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership questionnaire were used to collect data.

Results

A total of 300 women with BC participated (response rate: 91.0%). The mean age at diagnosis was 43.0±12.50 years and 33.5% were diagnosed at stage III or IV. Although most women (74.4%) recognised breast/armpit lumps

SUBMITTER: Al-Azri M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7825262 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature