Men's Self-Reported Knowledge and Awareness Towards Male Breast Cancer in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.
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IntroductionMale breast cancer (MBC), which accounts for less than 1% of all breast cancers, is often detected at a late stage because of limited awareness and perceived stigma, as it is commonly considered a female disease. This late detection often results in a poorer prognosis than that of female breast cancer. This study aimed to assess awareness and self-reported knowledge of MBC, among a sample of adult men in Saudi Arabia.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, data were collected using an online questionnaire. The questionnaire included demographic questions and questions on awareness and self-reported knowledge of MBC. Responses were summarised as frequencies and percentages and compared between healthcare and non-healthcare workers using chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. Composite awareness and perceived knowledge scores were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test and analysed using multivariable linear regression adjusted for age group, educational level, marital status, region of residence, and family history of breast cancer.ResultsAmong the 386 participants, 105 (27.2%) were healthcare workers and 281 (72.8%) were non-healthcare workers. Age was collected in categories, most commonly 18-24 years (26.7%), and 66 participants (17.1%) reported a relative with breast cancer. 162 participants (42.0%) disagreed that breast cancer affects women only, 273 (70.7%) reported no knowledge of MBC risk factors, and 300 (77.7%) no knowledge of examination and diagnosis methods. After adjustment for demographic characteristics, healthcare workers had significantly higher perceived knowledge than non-healthcare workers (B = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.23-1.01; P = 0.002), while the difference in awareness was not statistically significant (B = 0.29, 95% CI: -0.04-0.61; P = 0.087).ConclusionThese findings suggest gaps in awareness and self-reported knowledge of MBC among the survey participants, particularly among non-healthcare workers, which may be addressed through targeted educational initiatives. Whether such initiatives improve early presentation or clinical outcomes would need to be evaluated in future studies.