Validating breast self examination as screening modalities for breast cancer in eastern region of Nepal: a population based study.

ABSTRACT

Breast cancer is one of the most common causes of death in many developed countries amongst middle-aged women and is becoming common in developing countries as well. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of Breast Self Examination (BSE) against examination conducted by the trained health personnel. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive evaluative study was conducted among women aged 15 to 60 years undertaken in urban and rural areas. It was a population-based study and non-probability sampling method was used for data collection. Respondents conducted Breast Self Examination on their own, and then investigators did clinical examination of breasts of the respondents to verify their findings. RESULTS: Mean age of the respondents was 34.54 +/- 9.12 years. Nearly half (44.8%) of the respondents were illiterate. On comparison of each variable of breast self- examination with the physical examination of breast, it was observed that size of the breasts and lump found in the breast had significant relation to performance during examination (P<0.1). The result of Kappa test showed 68% agreement between findings of examinations done by the experts and respondents. CONCLUSION: Breast Self Examination can be used as an important tool for primary prevention of breast cancer in Nepal, where sophisticated method like screening mammography for general public cannot afford.