Risk factors, knowledge and practice of screening for breast cancer in outpatient clinic

Abstract

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide. In Honduras it continues to be the leading cause of cancer in women. There are modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. The screening tests available are mammography, ultrasound, MRI, tomography, and breast self-exam. Objective: Describe the risk factors and evaluate the knowledge and practice about breast cancer screening of women who attend the outpatient clinic of the Mario Catarino Rivas National Hospital from December 2019 to January 2020. Patients and method: Quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 100 women who attended the outpatient consultation on December 19, 2019 and January 16, 2020 between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. at the Mario Catarino Rivas National Hospital. A questionnaire was applied before and after an educational talk about knowledge and screening tests for breast cancer. The data were processed in Excel® 2013 and SPSS® V.22. Results: 55% were between 41-60 years old. 79% had a body mass index greater than 25. 45% reported the use of oral contraceptives at some point in their life. 41% knew less than or equal to 3 screening methods. 65% had performed a breast self-examination but only 29% did it once a month. Conclusions: The majority of the surveyed population had more than 3 risk factors for breast cancer. The best known screening tests were mammography and self-examination.