PREVALENCE OF KNOWN RISK FACTORS IN WOMEN DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER AT BLACK LION HOSPITAL

Abstract

SUMMARY Background: Breast cancer is the most wide spread cancer globally and predominantly affects the lobules (milk producing glands) and milk ducts of breast which carry milk to the nipples. In 2012, an estimated 14.1 million new cancer cases and 8.2 million cancer-related deaths occurred. An estimate of 231,840 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women in 2015 and in 2016, it is estimated that among U.S. women there will be 246,660 new cases of breast cancer. Non-modifiable risk factors (factors cannot be changed) for breast cancer include gender, advancing age, genetic factor, family history and race. Modifiable risk factors (factors that can be controlled) include the number of children given birth to, birth control, hormone therapy, breastfeeding, alcohol use, tobacco smoke, overweight or obesity and physical activity. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of known risk factors among women diagnosed with breast cancer and admitted to Oncology unit of Black Lion Hospital from January 2014- January 2015. Methodology: One-year retrospective study was conducted using medical records of patients at Black lion Hospital of Oncology unit. All women diagnosed with new cases of breast cancer and admitted to Oncology unit from January 2014- January 2015 were included in the study. All patients’ records admitted to Oncology unit of Black Lion Hospital between January 2014- January 2015 were retrieved using guiding questionnaire from patient card. Data was entered using EPI-INFO version 6, and analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Result: Out of 205 new cases of breast cancer, 31.2% of patients belonged to 30-39 years of age, 28.3% of patients belonged to 40-49 years of age. Most of the cases (75.6%) belong to married women, substantial number of the patients (35.1%) did not belong to any working class (house wives) and most of the patients attended primary school (28.8%). Majority of the patients (38.5%) have four or three children and13.7% of patients had family history of breast cancer and 2.4% of patients were found smokers and 5.9% of patients has history of Alcohol Intake. Most cases of breast cancer belonged to stage III and IV (i.e., 42% and 31.7%). Conclusion and Recommendation The peak age of prevalence of breast cancer was the 4thand 5th decade (30-49 years) and most cases of breast cancer belonged to stage III and IV disease. For effective treatment, a focus is needed on identifying risk factors that may be amenable to intervention and for there to be educational campaigns about the importance of early detection.