Lung Cancer Awareness Among Adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study Using the Lung Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM)

BackgroundLung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, including in Saudi Arabia. Public awareness of lung cancer symptoms and risk factors is essential for early detection and improved outcomes.ObjectiveTo assess awareness of lung cancer symptoms, risk factors, and confidence in symptom recognition among Saudi adults in Riyadh using the Lung Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM).MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 Saudi adults in Riyadh between August and September 2024 using an Arabic-translated and validated Lung CAM questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression were used for analysis.ResultsHigh awareness of lung cancer symptoms was observed in 36.3% of participants, and 25.5% demonstrated high awareness of risk factors. Smoking (79.3%) and exposure to secondhand smoke (74.0%) were the most recognized risk factors. Fair confidence of noticing a cancer symptom was reported by 42.8% of the participants, while only 5% reported high confidence. Higher knowledge and awareness of signs and symptoms were significantly associated with having higher knowledge of risk factors, current occupation, and having a close friend with cancer.ConclusionAlthough less than half of the study’s participants showed high awareness of lung cancer symptoms or risk factors, smoking and secondhand smoke exposure were well-identified by them as key risk factors. Confidence in symptom recognition was remarkably low, with only 5% reporting high confidence. Higher knowledge of signs and symptoms was significantly associated with increased awareness of risk factors, current occupation, and having a close friend with cancer. These findings highlight the need for targeted health education campaigns, mainly for less-identified lung cancer risk factors and symptoms, to improve early detection and reduce morbidity and mortality, wherein medical-surgical nurses play a crucial role in bridging this knowledge gap through clinical patient education and symptom-awareness promotion.