Changes in the age of breast cancer diagnosis along the last century in Argentina

Abstract

875 Background: The age of breast cancer (BC) onset seems to have decreased during the last century in Buenos Aires.To validate this trend we tripled the number of patients(pts),including other Argentine oncology centers. Methods: We performed a multicenter,retrospective,observational study.The clinical records of 6063 pst with BC diagnosis,born between 1900 and 1980 were reviewed.The population was divided in to three groups(G). Born between 1900 and 1930 (GA),1931 and 1960(GB) and after GC.The following variables were evaluated: birth decade,age at initial disease diagnosis,number of pts ≤ 40 years in the three groups. The T-Student Test was used for independent variables for age analysis., the square Chi Test to determine the rate of pts ≤ 40 years and the Estadistica 6.0 Program for data analysis. Results: The average age of populations was 57 (± 13 years). GA included 2371 pts with a mean age of 69 (± 9 years), GB 3439 pts with a mean age of 53 (± 9 years) and GC 253 pts with a mean age of 35 (± 4 years).(GA vs. GB p< 0.001). The pts who were≤ 40 years represented 9% of total population (543 pts) and were distributed in the following manner:GA 21 pts (0,9%),GB 286 pts (8%) and GC 236 pts (93%). GA vs GB p< 0.01. Conclusions: 1-A 16-year decrease in the age of BC diagnosis was confirmed among pts born between 1931 and 1960 with the respect to those born before, 2-in GB the number of pts who were ≤ 40 years old increased almost ten times with respect to GA. 3-We believe tha early diagnosis, a better access to health services, environmental changes and life style have had a significant impact on results. No significant financial relationships to disclose.