Evaluation of women in high-risk groups accepting prophylactic mastectomy and the options for reconstructive surgery in Saudi Arabia

Osman Suliman; Hatoon Y. Alajlan; Hadeel A.  Alamri; Abdulrahman S. Almutairi; Samer F. Alsamiri; Abdulaziz M. Alraddadi; Shayma A.  Albunasser; Waleed K. Alquliti

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20261738

Authors

Osman Suliman Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medical Sciences and Technology (UMST) Khartoum, Sudan
Hatoon Y. Alajlan Al-Rayan National College of Medicine, Al-Rayan National Colleges, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia
Hadeel A. Alamri Al-Rayan National College of Medicine, Al-Rayan National Colleges, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia
Abdulrahman S. Almutairi Al-Rayan National College of Medicine, Al-Rayan National Colleges, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia
Samer F. Alsamiri Al-Rayan National College of Medicine, Al-Rayan National Colleges, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia
Abdulaziz M. Alraddadi Al-Rayan National College of Medicine, Al-Rayan National Colleges, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia
Shayma A. Albunasser Al-Rayan National College of Medicine, Al-Rayan National Colleges, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia
Waleed K. Alquliti Al-Rayan National College of Medicine, Al-Rayan National Colleges, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20261738

Keywords:

BPM, Breast cancer, High risk, Mastectomy, Reconstructive

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. The choice to undergo prophylactic bilateral mastectomy (BPM) in high-risk patients to prevent breast cancer can intersect with social, cultural, and religious considerations. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and acceptability of BPM among high- risk patients in Saudi Arabia, as well as the available options for breast reconstruction.

Methods: A cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia involved 371 high-risk patients, and data was collected through an online questionnaire.

Results: The mean BMI of respondents was 24.68±9.8. Participants aged between 20 and 25 constituted 53.1% (n=197) of the study population. A majority of participants (75.5%) had academic qualifications. Ninety-six (25.8%) reported a family history of breast cancer. Overall, 65.8% of participants were aware of BPM, yet 48.1% had a negative attitude towards it due to fear of losing their self-image. A significant proportion (65.2%) preferred alternative treatments to BPM. There was no significant association between age or qualification and knowledge of BPM (p>0.05).

Conclusions: While awareness of breast cancer and BPM is moderate among high-risk Saudi women, the acceptability of BPM is low, primarily due to concerns about body image and self-esteem. Age and educational qualifications do not significantly impact knowledge levels about BPM.

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