ABSTRACT
Objective:
In this study, the aim was to investigate the risk factors of women applying to an Early-Diagnosis, Screening and Education Center for Cancer (KETEM) for breast cancer screening.
Materials and Methods:
In the study, whose scope is descriptive, the screening results of the women applying to Kütahya KETEM for breast cancer screening in between the years of 2010-2012 were evaluated. All participants were given “The Risk Assessment Form for Breast Cancer’ to complete, which is suggested by the Ministry of Health to assess the risk of breast cancer. Data was obtained from Kütahya KETEM. The data were analysed with SPSS 15.0 statistical software, and relationships between the variables were evaluated by chi-square test.
Results:
As a result of the analysis, 16 (0.39%) women, whose diagnosis was proven by histopathological examination, were diagnosed with breast cancer. The mean age of the16 women diagnosed with breast cancer was 51.44±7.25. Of these, 31.25% had a family history of breast cancer. In terms of risk factors affecting breast cancer, being 50 years of age and older, having a first pregnancy at the age of 18 or over and a duration of breastfeeding under 12 months were all higher among the women diagnosed with breast cancer than among the women not diagnosed with breast cancer (p<0.05).
Conclusion:
By screening at KETEM breast cancer can be diagnosed at earlier stages. It is recommended that risk groups should be observed and it is essential that screening in accordance with age level should be performed.