Understanding breast cancer causes: insights from Jordanian women’s awareness

To evaluate the awareness and understanding of breast cancer (BC) etiology among Jordanian women and identify associated demographic factors. A multiregional cross-sectional survey of 381 women was conducted via online snowball sampling. BC knowledge was assessed using a translated version of the Breast Cancer Awareness Measure. Statistical analyses included univariate and bivariate tests, followed by a multivariate ordinal logistic regression to adjust for potential confounders. Only 39.9% of participants demonstrated proficient comprehension of BC etiology. Knowledge correlated significantly with age, marital status, and expertise (p < 0.05). Awareness was highest among single pharmacy students; notably, 64.8% were single pharmacy students, potentially inflating overall scores. A misconception was identified: 66.1% believed a diagnosis in one breast reduces risk in the other. Age 41–50 (OR = 5.23) and holding a diploma (OR = 0.09) were significant predictors of knowledge compared to postgraduates, while marital status was not significant in the model. Educational backgrounds significantly influence breast cancer awareness among Jordanian women. There is an urgent need for targeted, community-based training programs to address persistent clinical misconceptions and knowledge gaps, specifically focusing on married women and individuals working or studying in non-medical fields, to improve overall public health standards nationwide. Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among women in Jordan. Timely identification is the most effective method to enhance survival, contingent on women’s awareness of the circumstances that increase their risk. This study surveyed 381 Jordanian women regarding their understanding of the etiology of BC. Our findings indicate that general awareness is merely moderate. Only 40% of women demonstrated a robust understanding of the issues. Knowledge was most prevalent among younger women (aged 20–30) and those pursuing a pharmacy education. This indicates that medical education is exceptionally beneficial; however, women who do not pursue health-related disciplines or who are older may lack crucial information. Crucially, we identified a perilous misconception: numerous women assume that having cancer in one breast reduces the likelihood of developing it in the contralateral breast. This is inaccurate; experiencing cancer once indeed elevates the risk for the other side. Our findings indicate that despite possessing adequate knowledge, women may still refrain from undergoing checkups due to fear or the societal stigma associated with cancer in Jordan. The results suggest that Jordan necessitates more efficacious health awareness initiatives. These seminars should not just present general information but also address and rectify prevalent misconceptions. Education should be provided in schools and community centers to reach women who are no longer participating in the university system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the awareness and knowledge levels of the causes of breast cancer among a multiregional cohort of 381 Jordanian women.Knowledge Levels: The overall level of knowledge was rated as moderate, with 39.9% of participants showing a “good” level of knowledge according to Bloom’s cutoff criteria.Demographic Predictors: Higher levels of knowledge were significantly associated with a younger age (20–30 years), being single, and having a specialization in pharmacy.Health Literacy Bias: There was a big difference between the fields of study; pharmacy students made up 73.7% of the “good knowledge” category, which shows that formal medical education has the biggest effect on overall scores.Clinical Misconceptions: A notable misconception was identified, with 66.1% of participants mistakenly believing that a breast cancer diagnosis in one breast reduces the probability of malignancy in the contralateral breast.The Knowledge-Practice Discrepancy: Even though people in Jordan know a lot about risk factors, data show that there is still a “knowledge-practice discrepancy.” This means that people don’t participate in screening because of social stigma and psychological barriers.Recommendations: Public health initiatives in Jordan ought to shift from general awareness campaigns to targeted “educational recalibration” designed to correct particular clinical misunderstandings among non-medical populations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the awareness and knowledge levels of the causes of breast cancer among a multiregional cohort of 381 Jordanian women. Knowledge Levels: The overall level of knowledge was rated as moderate, with 39.9% of participants showing a “good” level of knowledge according to Bloom’s cutoff criteria. Demographic Predictors: Higher levels of knowledge were significantly associated with a younger age (20–30 years), being single, and having a specialization in pharmacy. Health Literacy Bias: There was a big difference between the fields of study; pharmacy students made up 73.7% of the “good knowledge” category, which shows that formal medical education has the biggest effect on overall scores. Clinical Misconceptions: A notable misconception was identified, with 66.1% of participants mistakenly believing that a breast cancer diagnosis in one breast reduces the probability of malignancy in the contralateral breast. The Knowledge-Practice Discrepancy: Even though people in Jordan know a lot about risk factors, data show that there is still a “knowledge-practice discrepancy.” This means that people don’t participate in screening because of social stigma and psychological barriers. Recommendations: Public health initiatives in Jordan ought to shift from general awareness campaigns to targeted “educational recalibration” designed to correct particular clinical misunderstandings among non-medical populations.