Knowledge and awareness of cancer among Umm Al-Qura University students (Al-Leith Colleges Campus) - Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Cancer caused over 8 million deaths worldwide in 2013 and has moved from the third leading cause of death in 1990
to the second leading cause behind cardiovascular disease in 2013. Cancer can be reduced and controlled by implementing evidencebased strategies for cancer prevention, early detection of cancer and management of patients with cancer. Many cancers have a high
chance of cure if detected early and treated adequately. Cancer awareness has been shown to contribute to improvements in the
early detection and management of disease. Objective: The current study aimed to evaluate and assess the level of knowledge and
awareness of cancer among Umm Al-Qura University students - Al-Leith colleges campus - Saudi Arabia, the study covered different
colleges include (health sciences, social, computer, and college of engineering). Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study
conducted in college of health sciences at Al-Leith, Umm Al-Qura University -Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the period from August
2016 to April 2017. Data were collected using a questionnaires, 202 students were randomly selected, 106 (52%) of the students from
health sciences college and the remaining 96 (48%) were from other faculties (social sciences, computer, and college of engineering).
Results: The education level of students was as follows: 35 (17%) of students in the first level, 28 (14%) of students in the second
level, 58 (29%) of students in the third level, and 81(40%) of the fourth level. Most of the students from health sciences college (76%)
were answered correctly define cancer, while about half of the students in the other faculties (56% only 58%) gave true definition
of the disease. In terms of knowledge and awareness about risk factors for cancer, the study showed that most students aware by
tobacco, alcohol, pesticides, preservative food, radiation, and obesity as cancer risks, but they did not know that viruses, bacteria,
fungi, and sports inactivity were classified as risk factors for cancer. Most of the students involved in the current study were aware
by lumps pain as cancer signs and symptoms, but at the same time, they do not aware by other signs and symptoms of the disease
(skin ulcers, bleeding, low weight, and coughing), they gave low percent of positive results. Conclusion: The study concluded that
students’ awareness regarding cancer needs to be raised through educational and awareness programs.