Journal of

Background and Aim: Early diagnosis is a tenet in oncology and enables early treatment with the expectation of improved outcome. The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with personal characteristics and clinical signs in patients with breast cancer.
Materials and Methods: This research was a descriptive analytic that 
cross-sectionally assessed 232 patients with definite breast cancer diagnosis that referred to Razi hospital located in Rasht using a researcher designed questionnaire including demographic and clinical signs. Collected data (mammography, tumor size, pathological stage of tumor) were obtained from medical records of patients. Gathered data analysis was accomplished with SPSS V.19 and for description of data from average and standard deviation for inference statics fisher test with a 
P value of 0.05 were used.
Results: Mean age of subject was (49.80+10.27). 44 individuals (14%) had a precedent regular mammography before disease. Hundred and four (44.8%) in first appointment were referred to a general surgeon. Hundred and thirty six (58%) women were in stage III of the disease. Hundred and twenty nine (60%) patients had a tumor size more than 5 cm and 106 (46%) had a lymph node metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Patients referring with advanced stage of breast cancer had a low education (P=0.04) and income level (P=0.01).
Conclusions: Recognizing associated personal and clinical factors with early diagnosis can provide essential information for planning health education, screening and presenting appropriate solutions to overcome barriers to treatment and care in health system planning in this provinc