Original Research Article
Year: 2018 | Month: October-December | Volume: 3 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 47-51
Evaluation of Breast Cancer Risk in Brazilian Women Through the Use of an Online Assessment Tool
Sinara Martins Barbosa1, Aline Daniele Santana Silva1, Letícia Domingos1, Aline do Carmo França-Botelho2
1Graduate in Nursing, Centro Universitário do Planalto de Araxá, Araxá, Minas Gerais, Brazil
2PhD Professor in Centro Universitário do Planalto de Araxá, Araxá, Minas Gerais, Brazil
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer among women worldwide. The major breast cancer risk factors include age, lower age of menarche, late age of first pregnancy, fewer pregnancies, shorter or no periods of breastfeeding, and a later menopause.
Materials & Methods: The research was carried out in 2018, in Brazil, with 154 women aged above 18 years. The online instrument of data collection was adapted from "Cancer: Assessing Your Risk" developed by the American Cancer Society, translated and validated in Brazil.
Results: Study involved 155 women, aged over 18 years, most of whom are highly scholarity, graduate or postgraduate, but with varying socio-economic levels. The analysis of the questionnaires led to the following results: low risk for 133 women (86%), moderate risk for 17 volunteers (14%) and no high risk volunteers, according to the tool applied. However, as for women aged 50 years and over, all women had moderate risk scores.
Conclusion: In view of the results obtained, it is possible to conclude that the tool for assessing the risk of cancer applied showed that most volunteers have low risk for breast cancer. However, even at low risk at the moment, prevention, screening, and health education actions are important, not only for high risk women, and yes for all, considering the multifactorial aspect of this cancer and the changes that may occur with age and reproductive aspects to which all women will experience.
Key words: Breast Cancer, Cancer Risk, Women