CARCINOMA BREAST;

Late presentation ‘facts & factors’.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the factors responsible for the late presentation of carcinoma of breast in Pakistani women. Study
Design: Prospective, Cross sectional, Interventional. Setting: Women Medical Complex Sialkot and Surgical Unit II. Aziz Bhatti Shaheed
(Teaching) Hospital. Nawaz Sharif medical College, University of the Gujrat. Study. Period: January 2009 to June 2012. Results: A total of
87 patients of all age groups with carcinoma of breast were enrolled in this study. Mean age of presentation with breast cancer was 43
years. Stage III carcinoma breast was the most common presenting stage seen in 56 (64.36%) women. Socio economic status, delay in
presentation and diagnosis, fear of mastectomy and its social consequences found to be major factors in the late presentation of
carcinoma of breast. Conclusions: There is need to launch cancer public health campaign mechanisms, should include teaching of
Breast Self Examination (BSE) to patients, Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) to health workers. Strenuous efforts should be made to
break the vicious cycle of late presentation, poor treatment outcome and reluctance of patients to present to health facilities because of
social mindset.