Abstract
Objectives: To assess the level of breast cancer knowledge among Saudi Male Medical students, which will help in designing breast cancer awareness education programs for the younger generations. Methods: This was a cross sectional study that carried out in the faculties of Medicine at King Abdulaziz University, AlBatarji and Ibnsina, Jeddah Saudi Arabia, between April and June 2011. A questionnaire was distributed to 400 male medical students to assess their knowledge about breast cancer, its risk factors and breast self examination (BSE). Data were collected and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: About 24% of the participants have a family history of breast cancer and only 17.2% knew what mammogram. The use of oral contraceptive pills (43.5%), exposure to radiation (16%), smoking (25.8%), fatty diet (47%), family history of ovarian cancer (30.3%) and of colonic cancer (28.5%) were recognized by the participants as a risk factor of breast ca ncer. 20% Twenty percent of the students knew what is meant by BSE and 18% knew that it has to be carried out after the monthly period and about 8% of them were very enthusiastic to receive a training course on how the BSE should be done. Conclusion: Limited knowledge of breast cancer among male medical students might be an obstacle to screening programs and early diagnosis of breast cancer. Therefore, awareness programs and empowering medical students with knowledge is important area to work on through the medical curriculum development to help in the fight against breast cancer. [Samia M. Al-Amoudi, Basem S. Eldeek, Nasra N. Ayuob, Wael Alzhrani and Mahmoud S. Alahwal Knowledge about Breast Cancer among Male Medical Students, Jeddah, 2011. Life Sci J 2012;9(3):166-170]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 24