Abstract:
Background The discussion about breast cancer (BC) causation continues to be surrounded by a number of myths
and misbeliefs. If eforts are misdirected towards reducing risk from false mythical causes, individuals might be
less likely to consider and adopt risk-reducing behaviors for evidence-based BC causes. This national study aimed
to assess the awareness of BC causation myths and misbeliefs among Palestinian women, and examine the factors
associated with having good awareness.
Methods This national cross-sectional study recruited adult women from government hospitals, primary healthcare
centers, and public spaces in 11 governorates in Palestine. A modifed version of the Cancer Awareness MeasureMythical Causes Scale was used to collect data. The level of awareness of BC causation myths was determined based
on the number of myths recognized to be incorrect: poor (0–5), fair (6–10), or good (11–15).
Results A total of 5,257 questionnaires were included. Only 269 participants (5.1%) demonstrated good awareness
(i.e., recognizing more than 10 out of 15 BC mythical causes). There were no notable diferences in displaying good
awareness between the main areas of Palestine, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and Jerusalem (5.1% vs. 5.1%). Having chronic disease as well as visiting hospitals and primary healthcare centers were associated with a decrease
in the likelihood of displaying good awareness.
Myths related to food were less frequently recognized as incorrect than food-unrelated myths. ‘Eating burnt food’
was the most recognized food-related myth (n=1414, 26.9%), while ‘eating food containing additives’ was the least
recognized (n=599, 11.4%). ‘Having a physical trauma’ was the most recognized food-unrelated myth (n=2795,
53.2%), whereas the least recognized was‘wearing tight bra’ (n=1018, 19.4%).
Conclusions A very small proportion of Palestinian women could recognize 10 or more myths around BC causa‑
tion. There is a substantial need to include clear information about BC causation in future educational interventions
besides focusing on BC screening, signs and symptoms, and risk factors
