Prevalence and Patterns of Breast Lesions among Women Presenting with Palpable Breast Lumps at Kiambu Level 5 Hospital in Kiambu County, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer remains a major public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries, disproportionately affecting women. It is a multifactorial disease arising from complex interactions between genetic, molecular, hormonal, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Evaluation of palpable breast lumps using fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) plays a critical role in the early detection and characterization of breast lesions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and patterns of breast cytological lesions among women presenting with palpable breast lumps at Kiambu Level 5 Hospital, Kiambu County, Kenya. Study Design: Prospective cross-sectional. Place and Duration of Study: This study was done at Kiambu level 5 Hospital FNAC Clinic, between June 2024 and May 2025. Methodology: A total of 185 women aged between 18 and 80 years of age who were attending breast FNAC clinic and consented to participate were recruited in this study. Breast FNAC samples were obtained using a needle and syringe and were stained using Papanicolaou technique and the breast lesions were evaluated microscopically for cytological diagnosis. Associations between breast cytological lesions and sociodemographic factors were assessed using the chi-square test. Results: Among the 185 participants, overall 169 cases (91.4%) were confirmed to be benign lesions while 16 cases (8.6%) were confirmed to be malignant lesions. Fibroadenoma was the most encountered benign breast lesion accounting for 110 cases (65.1%) while Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) was the predominant malignant lesion, identified in 15 cases (93.8%). Several sociodemographic factors showed significant associations with breast lesions; however, education level, previous breast history of breast FNAC, exposure to radiation and history of tobacco smoking were not significantly associated. Conclusion: The prevalence of benign breast lesions among women with palpable breast lumps was 91.4%, with fibroadenoma being the most frequent benign lesion. Malignant lesions accounted for 8.6%, with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) as the predominant malignant lesion.