Background:Cancer screening is a preventive measure for asymptomatic individuals, whereas diagnosis is for symptomatic ones. With their professional advantage, Health care providers (HCPs) can positively influence cancer screening practices. The aim of this study was to assess the attitudes and perceptions of HCPs in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia towards cancer screening.
Design: The study design involved a cross-sectional multicenter survey that distributed a validated questionnaire to HCPs in three tertiary hospitals in the Eastern Province.
Results: Of the 900 HCPs who received the questionnaire, 372 responded. The majority were nurses (66.4%), with physicians comprising the rest. Regardless of age, gender, or profession, 91.4% of participants acknowledged the importance of regular cancer screening. However, the number of HCPs who did not undergo colonoscopy screening was higher than those who did. Among females aged 45-54 years, those who underwent mammography screening were significantly higher than those who did not. Similarly, male HCPs over 54 years who underwent Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) screening were significantly higher than those who did not.
Conclusions: This study suggests a need for increased awareness among HCPs regarding their role in motivating themselves, their families, and their patients to undergo various cancer screening programs, which is supported by existing evidence for the Saudi community.