Factors Associated with Women having Breast Lump in Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Breast lumps or lumpiness are a prevalent issue among women seeking guidance, with 40% to 70% reporting lumps or lumpiness. Any woman, regardless of age, who discovers a breast lump by self-examination, screening, or medical intervention begins to worry about developing breast cancer. Late stage of reporting suspected lumps is on the rise and this was impacted by the pandemic. The study examined factors that are associated breast lump and the risk on women who ever had breast lump. Method: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on women who attended Peace and Love Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana for breast care services from January to February 2022. Closed-ended questionnaire was used to solicit information from 301 women within a period of six weeks. Chi-square and binary logistic regression model was used to determine the association and the risk respectively. Results: Breast lump was dominant in women between 41 – 50 years and in those who do not have family history of breast cancer. The findings reveal that educational level [χ2 = 11.170; p = 0.011] and the practice of breast self-examination [χ2 = 7.998; p = 0.005] were significantly associated with breast lump. Married women were 0.764 less likely to have breast lump than those who are singles. Women between 31-40 years were 2 times more likely [AOR=2.061, CI=0.876-4.846] and those between 41-50 years 1 time more likely [AOR=1.131,CI=0.451-2.837] to have breast lump than women between 18 – 30 years. Conclusion: Breast lump is predominant in women between 31 – 50 years. Factors associated with a woman having breast lump are educational background and the practice of breast self-examination. Surgeon managing a breast lump in women over 30 years old are encouraged to be extremely suspicious and cautious in order to detect and treat malignant lumps early.