Breast Screening in North India: A Cost-Effective CancerPrevention Strategy

Abstract

<br/><b>Objectives</b>: Breast cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. Breast screeningin normal and/or asymptomatic women is essential to reduce the burden of breast malignancies. Our study aimedto identify possible risk- and/or co-factors associated with breast screening in North Indian women. <br/><b>Methods</b>: Apublic health research survey was conducted among 100 women of North Indian ethnicity during clinic visits ina 6-month timeline (April-October 2012). Demographic and clinical data, including mammography screening,were recorded in the questionnaire-based proforma after conducting a 10 minute interview. Written informedconsent was taken from all the participants. <br/><b>Results</b>: The mean age of the participants was 32.2±9.9 years.Out of 100 women, 6% had family history of breast disease. Breast-related complaints/malignancy, includinggalactorrhoea, mastitis, axillary lump, fibrocystic disease, fibroadenosis and adenocarcinoma were observed in41% participants; age stratification revealed that 82.9% of this group (n=41) were <30 years, while 9.7% and7.3% were >30 years and 30 years of age, respectively. 32% participants underwent mammography screeningand 8% had breast ultrasound imaging. Age stratification in the mammography screening group demonstratedthat 24 women were <40 years, while 7 women were >40 years. <br/><b>Conclusions</b>: Our pilot study identified possibleco-factors affecting breast screening in North Indian women. These findings may be beneficial in early detectionof breast abnormalities, including malignancies in women susceptible to breast cancer, and thus aid in futuredesign of cost-effective screening strategies to reduce the increasing burden of breast carcinoma in womenworldwide.