Breast Screening in North India: A Cost-Effective Cancer Prevention Strategy

Abstract

Objectives: Breast cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. Breast screening in normal and/or asymptomatic women is essential to reduce the burden of breast malignancies. Our study aimed to identify possible risk-and/or co-factors associated with breast screening in North Indian women. Methods: A public health research survey was conducted among 100 women of North Indian ethnicity during clinic visits in a 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 informed consent was taken from all the participants. Results: 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, including galactorrhoea, mastitis, axillary lump, fibrocystic disease, fibroadenosis and adenocarcinoma were observed in 41% participants; age stratification revealed that 82.9% of this group (n=41) were <30 years, while 9.7% and 7.3% were >30 years and 30 years of age, respectively. 32% participants underwent mammography screening and 8% had breast ultrasound imaging. Age stratification in the mammography screening group demonstrated that 24 women were <40 years, while 7 women were >40 years. Conclusions: Our pilot study identified possible co-factors affecting breast screening in North Indian women. These findings may be beneficial in early detection of breast abnormalities, including malignancies in women susceptible to breast cancer, and thus aid in future design of cost-effective screening strategies to reduce the increasing burden of breast carcinoma in women worldwide.

Economic burden of breast cancer to the households in Punjab, India

“…[1] This may be because of socioeconomic changes, rapid industrialization and urbanization resulting in lifestyle changes (late marriage, late first child bearing, and dietary changes), associated changes in menstrual pattern, and increased longevity (as older women are more likely to develop breast cancer) that contributes toward the increasing incidence of breast cancer in India. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] The public expenditures on cancer in India remain $10/person (as compared with more than $100/person in high-income countries with an equivalent number of cancer patients). Out-of-pocket (OOP) payments, which account for more than three quarters of cancer expenditure in India, are one of the greatest threats to the patients and their families.…”

Breast Cancer Screening Among Medical Staff in Tehran, Iran: Improvement of Early Detection

“…About 6% and 15% of positive family history were reported for breast cancer, respectively. In our study, 62 (8.3%) have a positive family history of breast cancer (11,13).…”

Serum thymidine kinase 1 is a reliable maker for the assessment of the risk of developing malignancy: A case report

“…Premalignancies are easier to treat than malignancies and therefore, early screening is a cost-effective cancer prevention strategy. Premalignancy treatment is also responsible for the most marked reduction in cancer-related mortality attributable to any medical intervention (17,18). The detection of premalignancies with routine screening could prevent the occurrence of the majority of human cancers (11).…”