1598P Assessment of breast cancer awareness/screening campaigns by analysing stages trends of Lebanese female patients: A retrospective study 2012 – 2017

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most frequent and most costly disease in Lebanon. Nevertheless, data on staging at diagnosis is scarce. This study aimed to assess the impact of screening campaigns on breast cancer downstaging through stage evaluation and trend analysis of uninsured patients receiving cancer treatment free of charge from the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health (MOPH). A secondary analysis of data from the MOPH Cancer Drug Scientific Committee database was conducted using a total of 3320 cancer files of breast cancer patients newly diagnosed between 2012 and 2017. Demographics, pathological characteristics and trends in stage distribution were collected and analysed on SPSS program. Median age at diagnosis was 53 years. The majority were oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) positive. Women <35 years mostly resided in South Lebanon, had advanced stages (III and IV) at presentation and an elevated percentage of TNBC of 31.3% (16.7% for the whole group). For all patients, advanced stages were mostly seen outside the capital (60.4% in Bekaa and 54.7% in North Lebanon). The trend of early stages at diagnosis (I and II) decreased from 55.6% in 2012 to 41.9% in 2017, while advanced stages increased from 44.4% to 57.9% during the same time period. Breast cancer downstaging through screening mammography of Lebanese patients was not achieved. Early detection of breast cancer has not shown any improvement over the period investigated. Implementation of genetic testing and tailored approaches to Lebanese women are recommended for future campaigns. In addition, reallocation of the MOPH breast cancer budget to more suitable screening tests and alternative care delivery strategies is suggested.