Prevalence, Risk Factors and Disease Knowledge of Breast Cancer in Pakistan

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females all over the world with approximately one million newcases each year as well as one of second leading causes of death among females. In Pakistan, the most frequentlydiagnosed cancer among females is also breast cancer, accounting for nearly one in nine female patients. Itsincidence in Pakistan is 2.5 times higher than that in neighboring countries like Iran and India. The risk factorsassociated with breast cancer are age, family history, early menarche, intake of combined estrogen and progestinmenopausal hormones, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, low socioeconomic status and lack of awarenessregarding the disease. This mini-review article aims to provide awareness about breast cancer as well as anupdated knowledge about the prevalence, risk factors and disease knowledge of breast cancer in Pakistan.