Knowledge of Breast Cancer and its Screening Methods in the Women of Pokhara Valley: A Community Based Study from Western Nepal

Sunday, 17 August 2014
Exhibit hall (Dena'ina Center)
Sana Khan, MD , Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal
R Narasimhan, MD , Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal
Ahmed Mandil, MD , College of Medicine, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia
INTRODUCTION:  Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the women of Nepal and early detection plays the leading role in reducing mortality rates and improving prognosis. To assess the awareness of screening methods of breast cancer in the women of Pokhara, Nepal.

METHODS:  A cross sectional study carried out In  987 residents of Pokhara, Nepal between 01 January 2013 and 01 September 2013 using structured questionnaire containing details of breast cancer screening methods and Socio demographic details. Descriptive statistics and testing of hypothesis were used for the analysis. Data analyzed using EPI INFO and SPSS 16 software.

RESULTS: In the 987 subjects, the mean age of individuals was calculated to be 33.5 ± SD 11.2 years. In total, 7% of the study population are aware of BSE (purpose, when and how to perform) and mammogram (purpose, when to perform, advantages and disadvantages) separately. None of the participants have hesitation in being examined by a physician. Relationships could be established between educational status, occupation and factors viz. awareness of BSE (p=0.0001), mammogram (p=0.0001).  

CONCLUSIONS:  The findings indicated that the awareness of breast cancer screening methods is very inadequate in the women of Pokhara, Nepal. Thus, the government has to promote community- based awareness programmes.

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