By 2030, the number of cancer cases worldwide is estimated to increase to 21.4 million deaths due to changes in population demographics. Improved survival can be achieved through cancer prevention and early detection strategies. Accordingly, the new generation may have lower rates of cancer in adulthood than previous generations. Achieving this goal requires a more interdisciplinary and multifaceted approach, with multiple public and clinical health efforts required to build a sustainable infrastructure for the dissemination of cancer prevention interventions.

Recognizing the vital role of health care providers (HCPs) as the most valuable resource for health is fundamental to maintaining public health. At the same time, HCPs must be in good health to treat and care for patients. Although HCPs are constantly exposed to a wide range of health and safety hazards while maintaining the health of the population as a whole, they are not at lower risk of noncommunicable diseases such as cancer.

According to the latest data for 2020, there were an estimated 23,782.8 to 66,899.8 new cases of cancer in Saudi Arabia. The death rate from cancer was estimated at 13,069, with colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and breast cancer being the leading causes. Although there is significant research on overall cancer incidence and prevalence in Saudi Arabia, there is a lack of data on the perceptions and attitudes of health care providers regarding their decision to undergo cancer screening. Therefore, we aimed to assess the perceptions and personal attitudes of n = 372 HCPs regarding their decision to undergo cancer screening.

We found that regardless of gender, occupation or age, the overall level of belief in the protective value of regular cancer screening was high at 91.4%. However, only 3.5% of participants had undergone colonoscopy and only 15.9% of women had undergone mammography, while the percentage of men who had undergone prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening was 12.4%. At the same time, we found that the number of women in the 45-54 age group who were screened with mammography was significantly higher than those who were not screened. Similarly, the number of male physicians over 54 years who were screened for PSA was significantly higher than those who were not.

The most common reason respondents cited that influenced their decision to undergo cancer screening was the lack of knowledge. The second most common reason that participants cited that influenced their decision to undergo screening was worry and anxiety about receiving positive results. Therefore, educational programs are recommended, especially among physicians, as they can further inform their patients about cancer risk factors, the importance of cancer screening, and the differences between screening methods.

The results of the current study and the available evidence specifically regarding the Saudi community indicate a need for awareness raising, emphasizing the role of HCPs in motivating themselves, their families and their patients to implement various cancer screening programs. This could be achieved through further research into additional education or training required for HCPs, which could positively influence their attitude towards cancer screening by making the procedure part of their own routine medical check-up.