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INTRODUCTION: In Uruguay, breast cancer has the highest incidence and mortality of all cancer in women. Knowledge of the distribution of risk factors related to disease development supports the implementation of prevention strategies in routine clinical practice. This study aimed to determine the epidemiological profile for breast cancer and the frequency of mammographic surveillance in the surveyed population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was conducted among Uruguayan women diagnosed with breast cancer who were assisted in the mastology unit of the oncology service of the Hospital de Clínicas in Montevideo, Uruguay, from September 1, 2018, to March 1, 2020. RESULTS: This study included 398 respondents, with a median (SD) age at diagnosis of 61 (34-86) years. A total of 310 respondents (78.0%) had 1 or more risk factors. Most women aged over 50 years (264 out of a total of 338 [78.1%]) underwent mammographic surveillance at least biennially. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with international reports, most respondents had a risk factor. Among the group of respondents aged over 50 years, most underwent mammographic and clinical surveillance at least biennially. Although it is only possible to formulate conclusions about the surveyed women because of the study design, the obtained data further our understanding of the epidemiological profile of the Uruguayan population, which can contribute to prevention practices.

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Introducción: El cáncer de mama es uno de los cánceres más comunes a nivel mundial y en el Perú, por ello es importante que los estudiantes en salud conozcan las medidas preventivas y factores de riesgo. Objetivo: Evaluar el nivel de conocimiento sobre los factores de riesgo y medidas de prevención para el cáncer de mama en estudiantes de la escuela de medicina de una universidad privada, 2019. Métodos: Estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo de corte transversal, se contó con una muestra de 319 estudiantes de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Católica Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo en el año 2019,que hayan estado matriculados en alguna de las escuelas profesionales. Se utilizó un cuestionario que constó de 18 preguntas, 5 ítems que abordaron datos sociodemográficos y 13 midieron el nivel de conocimiento sobre los factores de riesgo y medidas de preventivas del cáncer de mama. Se usó estadística descriptiva. Resultados: Después de la exclusión, se contó con 292 estudiantes, 72% fueron mujeres. La media de edad fue 20,5. 23,6 % fueron de segundo ciclo. Los factores de riesgo menos conocidos fueron beber alcohol, tener más de 45 años, menarquia antes de los 12 años y menopausia después de los 55 años, asimismo, las medidas de prevención menos conocidas fueron: edad correcta para realizar mamografía 71% y frecuencia para realizar autoexamen 63% en mayor porcentaje. Conclusión: El conocimiento sobre factores de riesgo y medidas de prevención de cáncer de mama fue adecuado.

Introduction: breast cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide and in Peru. Health studentsneed to know preventive measures and risk factors. Objective: to assess the level of knowledge aboutrisk factors and prevention measures for breast cancer in students of the private medical school, 2019.Methods: a quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 319 studentsfrom the Faculty of Medicine of the Universidad Católica Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo in 2019, who havebeen enrolled in one of the professional schools. We used a questionnaire consisting of 18 questions, 5items that addressed sociodemographic data, and 13 measured the level of knowledge about risk factorsand preventive measures of breast cancer. Descriptive statistics were used. Results: After exclusion,there were 292 students, 72% were women. The mean age was 20.5, 23.6% were from the second year.The least known risk factors were drinking alcohol, being over 45 years of age, menarche before 12years of age, and menopause after 55 years of age, and the least known prevention measures were:correct age for mammography 71% and frequency for self-examination 63% in a higher percentage.Conclusion: knowledge about risk factors and breast cancer prevention measures was adequate.