Breast pain in Ghanaian women: clinical, ultrasonographic, mammographic and histological findings in 1612 consecutive patients.
BACKGROUND
Increasing awareness of breast cancer in Ghana has led to many women in our communities often anxious to know if the pains they feel in their breasts may be due to cancer.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the causes of breast pain in a large number of Ghanaian women reporting at a specialist breast clinic.


METHODS
From July 1st 2004 to June 30th 2006, all women presenting at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital-Breast Care Centre with a complaint of breast pain were assessed by a combination of clinical history, clinical breast examination, ultrasonography, mammography, excisional biopsy and daily breast pain charts. Relevant data were retrieved from the clinical notes after each consultation and transferred to a proforma.


RESULTS
One thousand six hundred and twelve women were studied. Their ages ranged from 15 years to 90 years. In 762 (47.3%), the clinical breast examination was normal. Fibrocystic breast changes, lactational mastitis, nonlactational mastitis, and chronic breast abscess were the most common diagnosis made and accounted for 307 (19%), 189 (11.8%), 87 (5.4%) and 77 (4.8%) respectively of all the cases respectively. Carcinoma was diagnosed in nine (0.6%) of all the cases.


CONCLUSIONS
In most Ghanaian women with breast pain there are no palpable abnormalities on clinical examination. In many in whom palpable abnormalities are found the pain is due to benign breast disease. The prevalence of carcinoma is low in patients presenting with breast pain.
Ohene-Yeboah
M
M
Department of Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Private Mail Bag, University Post Office, Kumasi, Ghana, West Africa. mikeoheneyeboah@yahoo.co.uk
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary / Q000379:methods*