JHAS Vol. 11, No. 2, 2021 Free Full Text Articles are Available at www.jhas.org.np 82 JHAS 2021; 11(2): 82-86 DOI: https://doi.org/10.37107/jhas.254 Original Article Breast Cancer Screening Behavior and its Contributing Factors among Women of Pokhara, Nepal Sushma Poudel 1 , Rojana Dhakal 1 1 School of Health and Allied Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pokhara University Kaski, Nepal ABSTRACT Introduction: Breast carcinoma is the most prevalent cancer in both industrialized and developing nations among women. Early screening play a vital role in cancer identifcation and prevention, potentially decreasing mortality due to breast cancer. Te study’s primary goal was to fnd out breast cancer screening behavior and factors related to it among women of Pokhara. Methods: A survey was carried out among the 269 women residing in ward number 33, Pokhara using systematic sampling. Pokhara University Institutional Review Committee provided approval for the the study. Data were gathered through the use of validated questionnaire. Chi-square test has been applied to analyze the relationship between variables. Results: Out of 269 women, only 15.6% ever heard of breast cancer screening measures. Among those who are informed about breast cancer screening only 12.3% of women screened at least once in their life for carcinoma of breast. Breast self- examination, clinical breast exam, mammography, and breast ultrasound were practiced once in a life by 1.9%, 6.8%, 3.3% and 0.3% of women, respectively. Women educational level, ever heard of breast cancer screening programs, institutional factors, pain, concern of cost, availability of female doctor were associated with breast cancer screening. Conclusion: Overall, cancer screening behavior was poor in women of this location. Educational level, breast cancer screening information and health professional recommendation were identifed as important factors for breast carcinoma screening behavior. Correspondence: Sushma Poudel, School of Health and Allied Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pokhara University Kaski, Nepal, Email: chunumunu.susy@gmail. com Keywords: Breast neoplasms, Early detection of cancer, Female, Pokhara, Screening measures INTRODUCTION Breast cancer is a type of cancer that develops in breast tissue, the more commonly the innermost layer of breast ducts. Breast carcinoma is the prevalent cancer among female, as well as fourth leading cause of death from cancer in Asian women. 1 Globally day by day the rate of mammary carcinoma is rising; it is the second most frequent cancerous growth among Nepalese women; however early detection of cases increases the survival of clients. 2 According to latest WHO data 2020, Breast cancer deaths in Nepal reached 1,049 or 7.7 percent. 3 Early screening and detection of breast cancer increases survival rate, however, there is no formally addressed breast cancer screening program exist in Nepal. Furthermore, the diferent screening measures can be used to early identifcation of cancer methods like Breast Self- Examination (BSE), Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) and Mammography. 2 Poor awareness, lack of information, poverty, lack of education are the some of the attributes that make it difcult to women from seeking treatment and increased the burden. 4 A study from Nepal showed that (68%) of women were unaware about CBE and (56%) were unfamiliar to mammography, very few (10%) had undertaken breast cancer testing in the previous two years. Factors associated with screening were counseling during medical visit, high economic status, education, Buddhism and a family background of breast malignancy. 5 Tere were less researches regarding malignancy of breast, its testing methods among women in Nepal. Identifcation of women’s screening status and its associated factors will give an opportunity to health care worker and local governance to plan and create resources to this areas. Te key focus of this research was to fnd out the women’s breast cancer screening behavior and risk factors in Pokhara Nepal. METHODS A cross sectional survey was carried out to identify breast cancer screening behavior and contributing factors in females residing of ward number 33, Pokhara. Tis area has consisted of diverse population group with various geographic terrains, also comprised of approximate 5,453 female. Further, the area has connection with city