A pilot study has revealed that many Nepali women thought to be healthy suffer from several kinds of breast related diseases.
According to the findings of "ever first" breast cancer screening program in Nepal, 14.06 percent of 405 women, or 57 women, were diagnosed with several breast diseases. Out of the total, one woman had breast cancer, local news website eKantipur reported on Monday.
The study was carried out jointly by TU Teaching Hospital (TUTH) and Women's Development and Unity Center (RUWDUC) between January and August this year in three different areas of the Nepali capital Kathmandu and its neighboring districts. Women between the age of 21 to 70 years participated in the program.
"The sample size of the screening is not big enough to generalize and work out a trend, but considering the sample size, even one breast cancer case reflects high incidence," said Dr. Y.P. Singh, professor and surgeon of the TUTH Oncology, Department of Surgery. "But a wider research with big sample size is needed to find out the real trend."
He said 56 were tested with other types of breast diseases. Out of this number, 41 women had fibrocystic, which means additional lump development in the breast. The disease does not cause pain to patients. "This is a non-cancerous disease, but it is disturbing because the size of the lump can be visibly big," he added. " Sometimes surgery is needed to remove it."
Similarly, 15 women had fibro adenoma, which also means an additional lump in the breast. Though not visible, it gives pain. In such cases, doctors either give vitamin E to the patient or the patient is made to undergo hormone therapy. "This disease occurs due to lack of oxygen in the part of the breast where the lump develops," Dr. Singh said.
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