Abstract:
Breast cancer is a disease where cells divide abnormally without control. Several risk
factors for breast cancer have been well documented. Kenya is currently ranked as one
of the countries with the highest breast cancer rates in Africa and affects about 34 out of
every 100,000 people. The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors
associated with breast cancer among women in Trans-Nzoia County; 2015.Thestudy
investigated the socio demographic characteristics, reproductive, hormonal and
behavioral risk factors. The study was conducted between January and December 2015.
A cross sectional study design was used to study a population aged 18 years and above
who visited the Obstetrics and Gynecology clinic in Kitale District Hospital and were
totaling to 360. A sample size of 150 was obtained using fisher’s formula and simple
random sampling used to select respondents. Data collection was conducted using a
questionnaire administered to the respondents. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic
regression analysis was used. The study found that the risk of breast cancer increases
with age, never breastfed children and had consumed alcohol. The study found that age
(x2
= 1.714), never breastfed(x2
= 1.102, p=0.007) were statistically significant. The
findings further revealed that alcohol consumption was statistically significant (x2
=
101.25, p=0.000) so to average daily alcohol consumption (x2
= 102.077, p=0.000).The
study concluded that age of a woman was statistically significant with presence of breast
cancer. It also concluded that reproductive, hormonal and behavioral risk factors were
statistically significant in relationship with breast cancer presence. The study
recommends women to breast feed children or at least 6 months, be periodically
screened for breast cancer, avoid alcohol and smoking cigarette. The study
recommended to the county Government to make breast cancer services accessible and
affordable to the community and other researchers to carry out further research on breast
cancer.
