Prevalence and risk factors associated with Breast cancer among patients attending a cancer hospital in Manipal

Cancer has risen to become one of the top ten causes of death in India. Breast cancer is the most diagnosed malignancy in India, after cervical cancer. An increasing trend in incidence has been documented from several registries of the national cancer registry project, and India is now the country with the highest estimated number of breast cancer fatalities worldwide. The reasons for the varying prevalence of breast cancer among women are not entirely known but are believed to be explained by reproductive and lifestyle factors such as literacy, diet, age at menarche and menopause, age at first delivery, abortion, and a family history of breast cancer.

This study is to identify the prevalence and risk factors, both known and unknown, associated with Breast cancer among the patients attending a cancer hospital in Manipal.

The study includes all types of histopathologically confirmed cases of breast cancer, regardless of their degree, in the age category of 18 to 70 years. Patients who have not given consent to participate in the study, as

well as those who are terminally ill, post-surgical cases and aged <18 or >70 years will be excluded.

Face-to-face interviews and Anthropometric examination will be part of this cross- sectional clinical survey. In-person interviews based on a self-designed structured questionnaire will be used to collect data. Anthropometric instruments like measuring tape, weighing scale and Harpenden Skinfold Caliper will be used.