Effectiveness of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic: Google Trends Analysis

Background: Breast cancer awareness month (BCAM) strategy has been established in Saudi Arabia to promote national knowledge about Breast Cancer, as the Saudi Cancer Registry annual reports reported that breast cancer has ranked first among other cancerous diseases in women. Early detection and the treatment in the early stages of the disease will increase the survival rate of breast cancer patients. Many detection techniques have been used for breast cancer. The objectives of this study are to investigate the popular pattern in seeking screening information of breast cancer in Saudi Arabia using Google Trends. Methods: Data from January 2012 to December 2022 were analyzed for "breast cancer" and "Mammogram" searches. A difference-in-differences design compared pre- and post-COVID-19 search volumes. Ethical approval was obtained, and statistical analysis was conducted using SAS. Results: Over a decade, interest in breast cancer and mammograms in Saudi Arabia increased steadily. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant decline in both searches. Breast cancer searches decreased notably post-pandemic (p = 0.007), while mammogram searches declined but not significantly (p = 0.31). Regional disparities in search volumes were observed. Conclusion: Several awareness campaigns especially in the country sides are essential to help increase public awareness and interest.