"Abstract

Objective

Mammography and ultrasound are commonly used for early detection of breast cancer; however, they have several limitations and are outperformed by magnetic resonance imaging for screening and diagnosis because of its higher sensitivity. This study aimed to evaluate female awareness of magnetic resonance imaging as a tool for early breast cancer detection and to enhance early-stage diagnosis.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. Awareness was categorised as poor or good.

Results

A total of 498 women participated in this study. Although 98% of the participants recognised the importance of early breast cancer detection, only 42.6% were aware of the role of breast magnetic resonance imaging. Awareness of the ability of magnetic resonance imaging to detect intraductal carcinoma and small invasive tumours, particularly in dense breast tissue, was moderate, with a mean awareness score of 2.5 ± 1.1 out of 4. Awareness was significantly higher among older women, those with family history of breast cancer and those who practised self-examinations or had prior magnetic resonance experience (p ≤ 0.002).

Conclusions

This study highlights a deficiency in awareness regarding the value of magnetic resonance imaging in breast cancer screening, particularly among young women with dense breast tissue and those without prior exposure to magnetic resonance imaging."