Profile picture of risk factors for breast cancer among community women of Udupi, Karnataka

Abstract

AbstractGlobally, breast cancer is considered to be one amongst the most commonly cancer. In India, it is considered to be the second cancer disease among women with most of the affected population is in the urban areas. Breast cancer is seen mostly after the age of 40 years. According to the Cancer fact 2012, breast cancer is now seen to be among women aged from 35 years above. Materials and methods: The study was a descriptive survey study to assess the numbers of risk factors for breast cancer among the 320 community women who were willing to participate in the study. A validated structured questionnaire was given to the subjects after taking consent. Results: The study finding shows that out of 320 women surveyed, 252 (78.75%) belonged to “with risk” category and 68 (21.25%) belonged to “No risk” category for risk factors of breast cancer. The risk factorsfor breast cancer detected among these 252 who belonged to 'with risk' were, majority 24.4% had menarche at the age of ≤ 12 years, none had the personal history of breast cancer and 0.3% had the history of first-degree relative sister diagnosed with breast cancer. There were 44.7% women who first had their delivery at the age of ≥30 years and above. 16.9% did not give breast feeding; none had the history of biopsy, 3.8% had the history of taking oral contraceptives of .5 years period and none had the history of taking alcohol in their life. Conclusion: The study concluded that making the community women aware through health educations, distributing pamphlets and organizing programmes on breast cancer and the risk factors will motivate them to attend the health care services for better treatment. Better treatment will further enhance the morbidity and mortality rate among the community women.