Abstract
Objective
To determine the frequency of malignant and benign breast diseases and the level of awareness about breast disorders.

Method
This cross sectional prospective descriptive study was conducted at Rawalpindi General Hospital and included 200 female patients. Sampling was done by convenience method. The duration of study was 6 months (from 3rd January 2006 to 3rd July 2006). Patients were interviewed and examined by a female physician of the hospital and later by a senior surgeon. History, physical examination and appropriate investigations like ultrasonography, mammography, FNA and biopsy were carried out. Questions included regarding diagnosis, treatment, and different aspects of breast diseases. Level of awareness was marked as totally ignorant, partly aware or fully aware.

Results
Out of 200 patients, 82 % had benign and 18 % had malignant disease of the breast. 72% of the malignant disease presented late in Stage III and IV, due to lack of awareness. 63% of the patients were totally ignorant, 25% partially aware and only 12% were fully aware about the disease.

Conclusions
Benign breast disease was more frequent than malignant in our study. The awareness level about breast diseases was very low and it needs to be improved by increasing the breast clinics and mass media education. (Rawal Med J 2009;34: ).

Key words: Breast diseases, frequency, benign, malignant, level of awareness.