Publication:

Benign breast disorders: rural Punjab population study compared with urban population studies

Background The objective of study was to evaluate the benign breast disorders (BBD) in females of rural areas of Punjab. BBD has a number of varieties & presentations and causes fear of malignancy in patient’s mind. Study of pattern of disease is a challenge due to variants in occurrence and presentation in different age groups and different geographical areas.

Methods Three Hundred patients were studied over a period of four years in our institute with respect to clinical pattern, age, and behavioral precedent, incidence among the patients in and around the institute to have an idea about the prevalence of the disease. Appropriate investigational protocol was followed.

Results Most common BBD is fibroadenoma followed by breast abscess, mastalgia and fibrocystic disease in our population. Mean age of occurrence of BBD is 27 years. Commonest way of presentation was lump in breast followed by mastalgia and nipple discharge. Ultrasonography and mammography were used to differentiate benign from malignant disease. FNAC was performed wherever required. Results obtained were compared with those of studies conducted in urban populations by different authors. Results were quite different among the two populations which was probably a result of difference of living standard and lack of awareness among two populations.

Conclusions Benign breast disorder is a very common problem in females of reproductive age. Noted incidences of different BBDs vary from population to population for various reasons prevalent among those societies.