Benign breast disease in Papua New Guinea

In this study 302 biopsy-confirmed benign breast lesions in Papua New Guinean (Melanesian) women during a ten-year period were reviewed. Inflammatory breast disease was the most frequent type. Chronic mastitis, chronic suppurative mastitis and abscesses formed 32% of benign breast lesions and 71% of the group of mastitides. 10 cases of tuberculous mastitis were recorded. Fibrocystic disease was observed at a lower age (31.9 +/- 8.2 years) than has been reported from Black United States and West Indian populations. The high frequency of mastitis is an important finding. This is most likely to be associated with lactation. Proper hygiene during breastfeeding and the judicious use of antibiotics should reduce this high frequency. Education of women about these matters should form part of health education programs in Papua New Guinea.