Deborah Esan - Department of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
Ayodeji Fasoro - Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
Oluwaseun Olatoye - Department of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
Elizabeth Ojo - Department of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
Theophilus Esan - Department of E.N.T., Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria

Background: Breast cancer is a major global health problem in women from both developing and developed countries. As the leading cause of death among women, breast cancer has contributed ۱۹.۵% to the mortality rate among women in Nigeria. This study investigated the trend of breast cancer among women who attended Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria. Methods: This retrospective study examined the trend of breast cancer over a period of eight years and determined the most affected age group. Participants consisted of patients registered in the cancer registry who had histologically confirmed breast cancer. Data of ۳۶۲ patients were examined between March and April ۲۰۱۶. Data were analyzed and presented using descriptive (frequency, charts, and percentages) and inferential statistics (Fisher’s exact) for hypothesis testing. Results: Findings of this study revealed that the mean age of the participants was ۴۵.۰۴±۱۶.۹۴ years and all patients involved were females. The age group ۲۰-۳۹ years was most affected by breast cancer with a proportion of ۴۱.۷%. This study revealed a relationship between breast cancer classification and age of patients (P=۰.۰۱۱). Almost all (۹۴.۳%) cases seen within this time period were malignant. Conclusion: Healthcare professionals should place more emphasis on prevention of breast cancer across all age groups, especially young adults. These young adults constitute the larger percentage of the adult population. An increase in mortality rate in this age group will reduce the labor force and affect the nation’s economy.