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Background Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Some of the risk factors for breast cancer include family history, personal history, and hormonal replacement therapy. There are different methods of screening breast cancer, including clinical examination, breast self-examination (BSE), and mammograms. Despite the various modalities of screening, the screening was low, and the level of awareness was variable. Objective The objective of this research is to determine the knowledge and level of awareness regarding breast cancer and BSE among female Riyadh citizens. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 408 participants, using a convenient sample technique. The inclusion criteria were female, Riyadh residents, aged between 18 and 70 years old. An online survey was distributed among female Riyadh residents, and it included demographic data, knowledge regarding breast cancer, its risk factors, BSE, and mammograms. The questionnaire was constructed for this study, and validity and reliability were tested. Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS, version 22; IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY) software was used for statistics. Analysis of quantitative data by a t-test and association of qualitative variables by a chi-square test was conducted. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 408 participated in our sturdy, with the majority aged 50 years and above. All of those aged between 18 and 30, in addition to the majority of those aged 50 and above, showed poor knowledge. Gathering information through campaigns and TV/radio was associated with better knowledge compared to other sources. Knowledge regarding breast cancer risk factors was better among younger participants compared to older ones. Regarding BSE, all participants, regardless of age, showed poor knowledge. However, older participants aged 50 and above showed good knowledge in regard mammograms. Conclusion Most of the participants showed poor knowledge in regards to breast cancer symptoms and signs, risk factors, and BSE. However, knowledge regarding mammograms was mostly good among the participants. The variations in knowledge were influenced by several factors, including age, educational level, number of kids, information sources, and prior history of history of breast cancer or of a relative.
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The overall risk of developing cancer before the age of 75 years in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is 9.9%. We aimed to explore the pattern of skin cancer, specifically among the Saudi population residing in the Aseer region. We obtained data from the medical records of Aseer Central Hospital regional histopathological laboratory considering surgical pathology reports from 2011 to 2021. The 61-80-year-old age group represented most of the cases (41.4%), followed by the 41-60-year-old group at 24.1%. Men made up the majority of the cases (59.4%). Furthermore, the dataset predominantly consisted of Saudi nationals (94.3% of the sample). The percentage of cases diagnosed each year relative to the cumulative number of skin cancer cases varied each year, ranging from 1.6% in 2011 to 11.6% in 2017. The most common diagnoses were squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with 230 cases (41.1%) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) with 147 cases (26.3%). The majority of cases occurred in the head and neck region (55.4%), followed by the lower limb (16.6%), trunk (13.6%), upper limb (8.2%), and pelvis (2.3%). There was a significant variation in the type of skin cancer across the age groups (p < 0.001) and across different body parts (p < 0.001). The incidence of skin cancer exhibited variability throughout the study period. The predominant diagnoses observed were SSC and BCC. Among the affected areas, the head and neck region displayed the highest prevalence, followed by the lower limb, trunk, upper limb, and pelvis.
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BACKGROUND: Cataracts are the main cause of visual impairment among the aging population, with a high impact on patients' quality of life. It has been suggested that the antioxidant carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin may play a role in cataract prevention. Recently, significant evidence has associated abnormal glucose metabolism with an increased likelihood of the development of cataracts. AIM: The current study aims to assess the relationship between nutrition and cataracts among adults in the Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted targeting all accessible patients diagnosed with cataracts at Aseer Central Hospital during the period from August 8, 2019, to March 3, 2021, and at Khamis Mushayt General Hospital during the period from June 11, 2018, to March 3, 2021. Data were collected using a pre-structured data collection sheet that covered patients' socio-demographic data, including age, gender, education, work type, and marital status. Also, the type of cataract diagnosed for the study patients was recorded with associated risk factors of cataracts, including chronic diseases, trauma, eye surgery, and family history. The last section covered patients' dietary habits and frequency of dietary intake. Results: A total of 140 patients with cataracts who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Patients' ages ranged from 21 to 65 years, with a mean age of 54.2 ± 12.9 years old. Additionally, 12.1% of the study patients were smokers, 44.3% were diagnosed with hypertension, and 45% were diabetic, which was type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) among 36.5% and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among 52.4%. A family history of congenital cataracts was reported among 12.9%, and 12.9% had a history of eye trauma. Moreover, 37.1% of the study patients had vegetables once per week. Eating fruits or having juice was reported as once per week among 40% of the study patients and three times per week among 20%. Finally, 31.4% take nutritional supplements or vitamins. CONCLUSION: There is currently an inquiry to endorse or exclude a specific diet or dietary intake that may reduce or even prevent the development and progression of cataracts. It appears beneficial for people to have some antioxidants in their daily food.