Breast cancer knowledge and screening practice among women visited to KIST medical college.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among female worldwide. Global statistics show the annual incidence of breast cancer is increasing and this is occurring more rapidly in countries with a low incidence rate of breast cancer. In Nepal it is second most common cancer after cervical cancer. Studies shows the mortality rate of breast cancer can be reduced by early detection and Screening program. According to the latest WHO data published in April 2011 breast cancer death in Nepal has reached 1,248 (0.84%) of total death. The age adjusted death rate is 12.92 per 1000,000 of population and the rank has been reached in number 142 in the world. This study was aims to assess the knowledge and screening practice for breast cancer among women. A cross- sectional descriptive study was conducted among 110 women age range from 20 to 60 years at KIST Medical College, Imadol, Lalitpur. Purposive sampling technique was adopted. Structured questionnaire were used for data collection. Verbal informed concent was taken from each respondents. Descriptive analysis and simple statistical methods were used. Findings revealed that respondents who had heard about breast cancer were 33 (30%) and not even heard were 77 (70%), out of them 26 respondents were doing regular screening which was breast self- examination by 19 (73%) mammography 3 (11-5) and USG- 4 (15.4%). Their common source of information were Radio/TV. 90 (81%) married women were 90 in numbers. Knowledge on risk factors of breast cancer was very low. Result of this study shows low knowledge on breast cancer, risk factors and screening practice among women groups of this study. Thus it is important to educate women about importance of early detection through screening methods for breast cancer to reduce mortality.