Breast cancer is cancer that grows from breast tissue [1]. Like other cancers, it occurs because of an interaction between external factors or personal behaviors, such as smoking, drinking and diet and about 5% to 10% of breast cancer cases are thought to be hereditary, meaning that they result directly from gene defects (called mutations) passed on from a parent [2].
Cancer is a foremost cause of death worldwide, 8.2 million deaths registered in 2012 [3]. Worldwide, among all types of cancer, breast cancer is the top type of cancer in women, accounting for 25% of all cases [4]. In 2012, it resulted in 1.68 million cases and 522,000 deaths [4]. It is more common in developed countries [5] and is more common in women than men, men can have
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In Africa, where breast cancer may often present at an earlier age and can progress more aggressively [8, 9].
Hospital records shows that in Ethiopia, there are more than 200,000 cancer cases per year where cervical and breast cancers are the top two cancer types having a high deaths rate in the country [10]. In Ethiopia, breast cancer is typically a fatal disease with high mortality [11, 12], unlike the experience of the western world where breast cancer is frequently treatable and with lower mortality [13].
In Ethiopia, Black Lion Hospital (Tikur Anbessa) aspires to become a center of excellence in the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with cancer. With the support of Ethiopia’s governmental institutions, NGOs and international partners, the hospital is hoping to develop a comprehensive cancer care program, including cancer registry, early detection, prevention, standard treatment and palliative care. In each year, 60,000 – 125,000 patients visit Tikur Anbessa Hospital for treatment. However, the Hospital is treating only about one percent (1%) of these patients [14]. Health experts explain that many Ethiopians with cancer never seek medical treatment and, of those who do, they may not be referred to the Hospital in Addis Ababa