To assess knowledge and awareness regarding breast density (BD) among healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in breast cancer screening in Saudi Arabia.
Approach:
Study Design: A cross-sectional study using a self-administered online questionnaire distributed to targeted HCPs in Saudi Arabia.
Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics and responses; chi-square tests examined associations between awareness variables and demographic characteristics.
Key Findings:
335 breast cancer screening HCPs participated in the study.
Radiologists showed higher awareness of BD's effect on mammographic accuracy (87.6%) compared to non-radiology physicians (70.0%) and radiological technologists (76.7%).
Awareness of increased breast cancer risk associated with BD was significantly related to respondents’ specialty and years of professional experience (p < 0.001).
Gender was significantly associated with awareness of reduced mammographic accuracy (p = 0.002).
Interpretation:
Variable awareness among breast cancer screening HCPs in Saudi Arabia regarding the impact of BD on mammographic accuracy and breast cancer risk, with higher awareness among radiologists.
Limitations:
The study is limited to HCPs in Saudi Arabia, which may not represent global awareness.
Self-reported data may introduce bias in responses.
Conclusion:
The study highlights gaps in knowledge, patient communication, and routine clinical practices related to BD.
