Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common diseases that recorded high mortality among females. Most of the females are unfamiliar with the concept of screening. This results in most of the people presenting only when the disease becomes symptomatic. Breast self-examination (BSE) considered as one of the screening methods that can help females in detecting any breast abnormalities, especially masses. The aim of this study was to assess participants' awareness, practice, and attitude toward BSE among female students and staff at Najran University, Saudi Arabia.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among female students and staff using a pre-structured self-administered questionnaire. The collected data included participants' biodemographic awareness regarding BSE assessed thorough 16 questions: 6 questions for general awareness and 10 for the methods of performing BSE. The attitude assessed using eight questions with five-point Likert scale. The practice directly assessed by asking about the methods and causes of performing and non-performing BSE.
Results: The study included 300 participants, of which 232 (77.3%) were students,and 68 (22.7%) were the staff. The ages of participants ranged from 19 to 60 years old. In total, 69% of the study participants had a good general awareness level regarding BSE, and 62.3% had a good awareness level regarding the methods to perform BSE. About 58.7% of the participants had their knowledge from their study, 24% from mass media, and 13% from parents and relatives. Regarding practice, about 46% of the study participants performed BSE.
Conclusions: A moderately acceptable level of awareness regarding BSE and its methods assessed with a good attitude for its performance and importance, but the practice was poor due to the lack of knowledge regarding BSE as a screening method.

Key words: Breast self-examination, BSE, Breast care, Breast cancer, awareness, knowledge, practice, perception