Bridging the Gap in Breast Cancer Screening: A Study on Risk Stratification Among Women in North India

Background: Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women globally. Early detection through screening plays a crucial role in improving patient outcomes, but screening rates remain low in many regions, particularly in low-resource settings like India. This study aimed to assess breast cancer risk and evaluate screening practices among women in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, using the Snehita Breast Cancer Risk Calculator. This study aims to evaluate the breast cancer risk among women in Kerala using a breast cancer risk calculator and to examine their screening practices. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 200 women aged 30 years and above. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews, including demographic information, breast cancer risk factors, and history of screening practices. Risk stratification was performed using the Snehita Breast Cancer Risk Calculator, categorizing women into normal, moderate, and high-risk groups. Results: Among the 200 participants, 12.74% (n=25) were classified as high-risk. Screening practices were significantly associated with risk categories, with only 17.4% of women reporting ever having undergone breast cancer screening. The majority (82.6%) had never been screened. A significant association between high-risk status and lack of screening was observed (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Despite the availability of a risk calculator and potential high-risk identification, breast cancer screening uptake remains low. There is a critical need for targeted awareness programs and accessible screening services to improve early detection and reduce breast cancer-related mortality. Further studies are needed to explore barriers to screening and the effectiveness of risk-based interventions.