Clinico-Epidemiological Profile of Female Breast Cancers and Its Important Correlates: A Hospital Based Study

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is second most frequent cancers in females in India. Public health prevention measures requires an understanding of burden of disease and its epidemiology including risk factors.

Aims: To study the clinico-epidemiological profile of breast cancer by conducting a detailed enquiry into its qualitative and quantitative magnitude.

Study design and Setting: Hospital-based, cross-sectional study conducted at Shri Siddhivinayak Ganapati Cancer Hospital, Miraj, Maharashtra.

Material and Methods: Pre-structured and pilot tested questionnaire was administered to all one hundred and twenty three (123) confirmed cases of female breast cancer cases diagnosed in the hospital from March 2005 to February 2006) to undertsand their clinico-epidemiological profile. Statistical analysis used: Standard deviation, mean, mode and median were applied to select observations.

Results: Majority of the female breast cancer cases were above 40 years of age. Mean age of the patients was found to be 51 years with Standard deviation (SD) of 14 years.97% cases were married. Mean age of menarche was 12.35 years (SD 1.25).Mean age at 1st full term pregnancy was 23.1 years (SD 2.56).2% cases were nullipara.45% women were in menopause. Only 8% subjects had history of taking oral contraceptive pills. Familial breast cancer was uncommon. Lump in breast was the dominant symptom. Most common histology was infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Majority of the subjects presented in advanced stages of disease.

Conclusion: Majority of the female breast cancer cases were infiltrating ductal carcinoma and were presented in advanced stages of disease. One fourth of all cases were below forty years of age.