Higher Frequency Of Breast Cancer Research Articles

Distinguishing Axillary Lymphadenopathy after COVID-19 Vaccination from Malignant Lymphadenopathy.

Objectives: To study the differences between malignant hypermetabolic axillary lymphadenopathy (MHL) and COVID-19 vaccine-associated axillary hypermetabolic lymphadenopathy (VAHL) using clinical imaging. Methods: A total of 1096 patients underwent Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (PET-CT) between 1 June 2021 and 30 April 2022 at Ehime University Hospital. In total, 188 patients with axillary lymphadenopathy after the COVID-19 vaccination were evaluated. The patients were classified into three groups such as VAHL (n = 27), MHL (n = 21), and equivocal hypermetabolic axillary lymphadenopathy (EqHL; n = 140). Differences in lymph node (LN) swellings were statistically analyzed using clinical imaging (echography, CT, and 18F-FDG PET). Results: MHL included a higher female population (90.5%) owing to a higher frequency of breast cancer (80.9%). Axillary LNs of MHL did not show any LN fatty hilums (0%); however, those of VAHL and EqHL did (15.8 and 36%, respectively). After the logistic regression analysis of the patients who had axillary lymphadenopathy without any LN fatty hilums, the minor axis length and ellipticity (minor axis/major axis) in the largest axillary LN, SUVmax, and Tissue-to-Background Ratio (TBR) were useful in distinguishing malignant lymphadenopathies. A receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis indicated that a cut-off value of ≥7.3 mm for the axillary LN minor axis (sensitivity: 0.714, specificity: 0.684) and of ≥0.671 for ellipticity (0.667 and 0.773, respectively) in the largest LN with the highest SUVmax and TBR were predictive of MHL. Conclusions: Axillary lymphadenopathy of the minor axis and ellipticity in LN without fatty hilums may be useful to be suspicious for malignancy, even in patients who have received COVID-19 vaccination. Further examinations, such as 18F-FDG PET, are recommended for such patients.

Prevalencia de problemas relacionados con medicamentos en pacientes que reciben tratamiento oncológico

Objetivo: Estimar la prevalencia de problemas relacionados con medicamentos en pacientes que recibieron tratamiento oncológico. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional, prospectivo y descriptivo realizado en el Hospital Daniel Alcides Carrión III de EsSalud, en Tacna, durante el año 2018. La población estuvo conformada por 45 pacientes, comprendidos entre las edades de 18 años a más. Se incluyó a pacientes con tratamiento oncológico y los datos fueron recogidos mediante la ficha de farmacia clínica para seguimiento farmacoterapéutico. Resultados: Fueron 36 mujeres (80 %) y 9 hombres (20 %), se encontró alta frecuencia de cáncer de mama (53,30 %), cáncer de próstata y ovario (6,70 %). Alto uso de paclitaxel (14 %), gemcitabina y ciclofosfamida (9,30 %). Los problemas más frecuentes fueron los de incumplimiento (2,22 a 0 %), interacciones (24,44 a 13,33 %) y probabilidad de efectos adversos (93,33 % que se mantuvo constante). Conclusión: Existe una alta prevalencia de problemas relacionados con medicamentos en pacientes con tratamiento oncológico.

Factores asociados a la práctica de automedicación en estudiantes de Medicina

Objetivo: Determinar factores asociados a la práctica de automedicación en estudiantes de Medicina Humana en universidades de Tacna, Perú. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional, analítico y transversal realizado en en 168 estudiantes de Medicina Humana de la Universidad Nacional Jorge Basadre Grohmann y la Universidad Privada de Tacna. Se aplicó un cuestionario virtual de 22 preguntas, entre enero y febrero del 2021, en estudiantes de primer a sexto año de estudios, previo consentimiento informado. Se utilizó prueba Chi2, los datos fueron procesados y analizados en software Stata v14. Resultados: Los estudiantes presentaron edades entre 20 y 25 años (67,9 %) con una media de 21,9 ± 2,8 años; el 52,4 % fueron mujeres; el 66,7 % estudian en la UNJBG y el 33,3 % en la UPT. El 89,9 % de estudiantes se automedicó. La automedicación se asoció al año de estudios (p = 0,04); el 86,2 %, en el primer año y el 100 %, en el último año. De los que se automedican, el 10,5 % no conoce riesgos y peligros de automedicarse; el 28 % no lee el prospecto del medicamento; el 11,3 % no conoce el medicamento; el 23,8 % no conoce las reacciones adversas y el 15,8 % no conoce las contraindicaciones. Los factores más importantes para automedicarse fueron: falta de tiempo para acudir a consulta médica (70,7 %) y tener conocimientos sobre medicamentos (58,5 %). El 61 % se automedicó por decisión propia y el 50,7 % por recomendación del personal de farmacias o boticas. Los medicamentos más utilizados fueron analgésicos/antiinflamatorios (76,3 %), los síntomas que la motivaron fueron fiebre (75,7 %) y dolor abdominal (51,3 %). Conclusión: La automedicación en estudiantes de Medicina es muy frecuente y se asocia a mayor grado de estudios, debido al mayor conocimiento que van adquiriendo en el transcurso de la carrera.

Lack Of Breastfeeding Among Working Mothers

The nursing stage is the most crucial time in a person's life for growth and development, and nourishment is crucial during this time for a newborn. Breastfeeding has also been linked to reduce the incidence of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and obesity in females. Objective: To find out whether women are aware that non-feeding females are more likely to develop obesity, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer. Methods: Data were gathered from female patients at Sheikh Zaid Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan. Non-probability convenient sampling with a sample size of 100 was used in this comparative investigation. Results: The findings revealed that 19 women knew not nursing might result in ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and obesity, whereas 81 women did not had any idea. Also, the findings showed that, in contrast to 94 women, only 6 women were exclusively nursing their kid for 6 months. The research indicate that while 22 women did not believe that lack of time is a barrier to breastfeeding, 78 women did. Lastly, the data also reveals that 83 women believed that working may make it difficult to breastfeed, whereas 17 women did not. Conclusion: The longer a woman breastfeeds, the greater her protection against breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and obesity. The lack or limited lifetime duration of breastfeeding that is typical of women in these countries is primarily to blame for the high frequency of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and obesity in industrialized nations.

Contribution of BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutations to early onset breast cancer: a series from north of Morocco

BackgroundTo date, the contribution of BRCA1/2 mutations in Moroccan early onset breast cancer patients remains unknown. Here we assess these genetic alterations for the first time in a cohort from North of Morocco.MethodsThirty-three patients diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of ≤40 years were recruited irrespective of breast and/or ovarian cancer family history. Coding regions and intron-exon boundaries of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes were sequenced from peripheral blood DNA using Ion Proton (Thermo Fisher Scientific) next generation sequencing platform.ResultsOverall, five BRCA germline mutations were identified (15.1%). The frequency of mutations among patients with family history of breast cancer was 16.7%. Three mutations were found in BRCA1 (9%) and two within the BRCA2 gene (6%). These are three frameshift mutations (c.798_799del, c.2125_2126insA, c.5116_5119delAATA), one missense (c.116G > A) and one nonsense mutation (c.289G > T). The mutation c.5116_5119delAATA has a founder effect in North Africa. Moreover, one variant of unknown significance was identified in BRCA2 (c.4090A > G). Most BRCA mutations carriers (80%) had no family history of breast cancer.ConclusionOur data do not support the hypothesis that BRCA mutations alone explain the higher frequency of breast cancer in Moroccan young women. The young age (≤40 years) for breast cancer diagnosis seems to be strongly predictive of BRCA mutation status in Moroccan patients. These results will help in decision making with regard to genetic counseling and testing in the national scale.

ASSOCIATION OF POSITIVE FAMILY HISTORY WITH BREAST CANCER IN YOUNG FEMALES WITH BREAST LUMPS.

Background; Breast cancer is most frequently diagnosed cancer in females. It has a major impact on health of women. According to a World Health Organization [WHO] estimate, more than 1.2 million people are diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide every year. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of breast cancer in patients presenting with breast lumps in our population. OBJECTIVE; To determine frequency of breast cancer among young females presenting with breast lumps at a tertiary care hospital. Material and Methods; Consecutive 160 young ladies presenting with breast lumps were taken. Young females with breast lumps were taken and diagnosed for breast cancer. All the data was entered and analyzed using SPSS-20. Results; Of these 160 study cases, 98 (61.2 %) were un-married female patients while 62 (38.8 %) were married female patients. Mean age of our study cases was 23.23 ± 3.85 years (with minimum age of our study cases was 18 years while maximum age was 32 years). Our study results have indicated that majority of our study cases i.e. 123 (76.9 %) were aged up to 25 years. Mean body mass index of our study cases was 26.23 ± 1.92 kg/m 2 and obesity was present in 48 (30.0 %). Mean disease duration was 2.98 ± 2.54 months and 111 (69.4%) had duration of illness up to 3 months. Breast cancer was noted in 40 (25.0%) of our study cases. Conclusion; High frequency of breast cancer was noted in our study among young females presenting with breast lumps. Breast cancer was significantly associated with marital status, increasing age, residential status, socioeconomic status and family history of breast cancer. These findings suggest that females at every age group with breast lumps need specialized care for diagnosis and management. Keywords; Breast Cancer, Breast Lumps, Young Females. DOI : 10.7176/JMPB/54-18 Publication date : April 30 th 2019

Clinicopathologic and prognostic features of breast cancer in young women: a series from North of Morocco

BackgroundLiterature data reported a higher frequency of breast cancer in young women (BCYW) in developing countries. BCYW is associated with delayed diagnosis, aggressive biology and poor prognosis. However, our knowledge of biological profile, treatment received and outcome of young patients is still limited in Morocco. We propose to analyze clinicopathologic, therapeutic and prognostic features of BCYW among a series of patients native and/or inhabitant of North of Morocco.MethodsWe carried out a retro-prospective study of 331 infiltrating breast cancer cases registered between January 2010 and December 2015. Details of tumor pathology, treatment and outcome were collected. Disease-Free Survival (DFS) and Overall Survival (OS) were assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis.ResultsA total of 82 patients were diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 40 or younger (24.8%). Median age was 36 years. More than one quarter (26%) of patients had family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Advanced stages accounted for 34.2% of cases. Median tumor diameter was 2.8 cm. Intermediate and high-grade tumors represented 47.6% and 40.2%, respectively. Nodal involvement was present in 58.5% and lymphovascular invasion was found in 47.7% of the patients. About two thirds (66.2%) of tumors were hormone receptor positive, 29.2% over-expressed HER2 receptor and 23% were triple negative. Patients underwent breast conserving surgery in 38.2% of cases, 61.7% were offered adjuvant chemotherapy and 84.6% received hormone therapy. Five-year DFS and OS were respectively 88.9% and 75.6%. Locoregional recurrence occurred in 2.8% of cases and 8.3% of patients developed distant metastases.ConclusionOur findings are in accordance with previous studies that have shown a higher frequency of breast cancer among Moroccan young women. In line with literature data, clinicopathologic profile seems to be aggressive and prognosis is pejorative in our series.

Relationship between Chinese medicine dietary patterns and the incidence of breast cancer in Chinese women in Hong Kong: a retrospective cross-sectional survey

BackgroundThis retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between Chinese medicine (CM) dietary patterns (hot, neutral, and cold) and the incidence of breast cancer among Chinese women in Hong Kong.MethodsBreast cancer cases (n = 202) and healthy controls (n = 202) were matched according to demographics. Chinese women residing in Hong Kong for the past 7 years were recruited by media advertisements (e.g., via newspapers, radio, and posters). The control participants were recruited by convenience sampling from health workshops held in clinics and communities of 15 districts of Hong Kong. After completing test–retest reliability, all participants were asked to complete diet pattern questionnaires about their food preferences and dietary patterns. The Student’s unpaired t test, Chi square test, and logistic regression were conducted using SPSS software.ResultsThree major CM dietary patterns were identified: hot, neutral, and cold. The participants with breast cancer exhibited a stronger preference for hot food than the control group (Chi square test, P < 0.001). A higher frequency of breast cancer was associated with a higher frequency of dining out for breakfast (4–5 times per week, Chi square test, P = 0.015; 6–7 times per week, Chi square test, P < 0.001) and lunch (4–5 times per week, Chi square test, P < 0.001; 6–7 times per week, Chi square test, P = 0.006). The participants with no history of breast cancer consumed CM supplements and Guangdong soups (1–2 times per week, Chi square test, P = 0.05; >3 times per week, Chi square test, P < 0.001) more frequently than those with breast cancer.ConclusionsNon-breast cancer participants adopted a neutral (healthy and balanced) dietary pattern, and consumed CM supplements and Guangdong soups more frequently.

Assessment of sociodemographic characteristics in a sample of breast cancer patients in Baghdad.

Background: In Iraq, breast cancer is the most common type of malignancy among the Iraqi population in general. It accounts for approximately one third of the registered female cancers according to the latest Iraqi Cancer Registry.Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the sociodemographic characteristics of patients with breast cancer in Baghdad.Methodology: This cross sectional study that was conducted in Baghdad City during a three months period from January to March 2016. It was conducted at Al-Amal National Hospital for Cancer Management. The questionnaire form gathered info about sociodemographic characteristics including: age, gender, educational attainment, marital status, living arrangement, finical status, and disease associated factors like disease duration and treatment modalities.Results: A random sample of 250 female patients with breast cancer was analyzed. The mean age was 56 years. The high frequency of breast cancer was among women aged 50-59 years, which is consistent with what was reported in the literature as age is one of the risk factors for developing breast cancer. The highest proportion of study sample completed their secondary school and about one fifth had university education. Married females constituted a large proportion of the study sample. In addition, parous women were frequent in the study sample, which was also consistent with global prevalence data of breast cancer.Conclusions: A high proportion of BC patients were married, multiparous, urban residence, and at least completed their secondary school.

Assessment of sociodemographic characteristics in a sample of breast cancer patients in Baghdad.

Background: In Iraq, breast cancer is the most common type of malignancy among the Iraqi population in general. It accounts for approximately one third of the registered female cancers according to the latest Iraqi Cancer Registry.Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the sociodemographic characteristics of patients with breast cancer in Baghdad.Methodology: This cross sectional study that was conducted in Baghdad City during a three months period from January to March 2016. It was conducted at Al-Amal National Hospital for Cancer Management. The questionnaire form gathered info about sociodemographic characteristics including: age, gender, educational attainment, marital status, living arrangement, finical status, and disease associated factors like disease duration and treatment modalities.Results: A random sample of 250 female patients with breast cancer was analyzed. The mean age was 56 years. The high frequency of breast cancer was among women aged 50-59 years, which is consistent with what was reported in the literature as age is one of the risk factors for developing breast cancer. The highest proportion of study sample completed their secondary school and about one fifth had university education. Married females constituted a large proportion of the study sample. In addition, parous women were frequent in the study sample, which was also consistent with global prevalence data of breast cancer.Conclusions: A high proportion of BC patients were married, multiparous, urban residence, and at least completed their secondary school.

Epidemiology, Pathology and Histochemistry Features in Women with Breast Cancer

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequent malignancy among women and is the leading cause of death through middle-aged women. Despite the high frequency of breast cancer among Iranian women, the epidemiological characteristics of breast cancer among Iranian patients are yet unknown. Herein, we investigate epidemiology, pathology and histochemistry features in women with breast cancer in Iran. Materials and Methods: Between of 2002 to 2012, 546 patients with breast cancer, who were referred to Rasool-Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran were studied. They were surveyed for age, size of tumor, family history of disease, laterality, type of pathology, grade, stage, tumor markers and metastasis. Results: The mean age of patients at diagnosis was 46.8±11 years. Size of tumor in 113 patients (20.7%) was 0.1-2 cm, 349 patients (63.9%) between 2.1-5 cm and 84 patients (15.4%) >5 cm. Forty-seven patients (8.6%), 382 patients (70%) and 117 patients (21.4%) had grade I, grade II and grade III, respectively. 185 patients (33.9%) had metastasis (35 patients at diagnosis and 150 patients in time of treatment) to other organs. 538 patients (98.5%) didn’t have family history of ovarian cancer and also 501 patients (91.8%) didn’t have family history of breast cancer. Conclusions: The mean age at diagnosis of BC in Iran is around 46 to 49 years. Tumor size in our study is lower than many studies. The organ as site of the most metastases was the lung in our patients, while in other studies it is the bone.

Bilateral symmetry of breast tissue composition by magnetic resonance in young women and adults.

BackgroundSome reports suggest that there is a slightly higher frequency of breast cancer in the left breast compared with the right in middle-aged women. The reasons for this association are unknown. The water and fat content of both breasts was compared using magnetic resonance (MR). Breast water by MR reflects fibro-glandular tissue and is strongly positively correlated with percent mammographic density, a strong risk factor for breast cancer.MethodsMagnetic resonance was used to measure fat and water content of the breast in 400 young women aged 15–30 years and a random sample of 100 of their mothers. All MR examinations were carried out using a 1.5T MR system, and 45 contiguous slices were obtained in the sagittal plane. One reader identified the breast tissue in the image, and subsequently, fat and water content was calculated using a three-point Dixon technique. Left- and right-sided images were read independently in random order.ResultsIn young women, mean percent water was on average 0.84 % higher in the right compared with the left breast (p < 0.001) and total breast water was on average 6.42 cm3 greater on the right side (p < 0.001). In mothers, there were no significant differences in any breast measure between right and left sides.ConclusionThe small differences in breast tissue composition in young women are unlikely to be associated with large differences in breast cancer risk between sides. The reported excess of left-sided breast cancer in older women is unlikely to be explained by differences in breast tissue composition.

Pedigree studies and evaluation of risk factors of breast cancer in Goa.

Incidence of breast cancer (BC) is increasing in most of the countries, including the areas which have had previously low rates. The aim of this prospective study was to analyze the pedigrees of the patients for detecting hereditary factor prevalence and to investigate the possible risk factors associated with BC in a sample population from Goa. A prospective analysis was performed for 95 BC patients between 2011 and 2012. For assessing the risk factors, a proforma was designed and the necessary data was collected by interview. The process of collecting family history for drawing the pedigree included interviewing the informant. Online calculators of statistics were used for standard deviation at www.easycalculation.com and fishers test at www.graphpad.com. High frequency of BC was revealed in the sample population from Goa. This could be attributed to the changes in reproductive patterns, physical inactivity and obesity, or general increase in BC awareness. Factors which did not influence the frequency of BC in the sample population include parity, oral contraceptives, alcohol consumption, occupation, exercise, and nutritional supplement. High incidence of family history of 168/1000 individuals was observed in the present study. Proper management of BC is possible after assessment of cumulative risk of BC in females by a thorough study of both environmental and genetic factors. Cumulative risk can be greatly reduced by controlling the environmental risk.

Histopathology and Prognostic Indices of Carcinoma Breast with Special Reference to p53 Marker.

Cancer of the breast is one of the commonest carcinomas in women, both in western world and in India. The high frequency of breast cancer in women has prompted an intensive study of possible modifiable risk factors (clinical parameters, morphological typing, and biological markers) for assessment of prognosis, prevention strategies, and treatment modalities. p53 is one of the most significant prognostic markers for breast carcinomas. This study was undertaken to ascertain the prevalence of p53 mutated protein in breast carcinomas by immunohistochemistry and correlating the results with clinical and histological parameters and also determine its influence on axillary node metastasis. Clinico-pathological evaluation of 50 cases of infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast, with reference to p53 mutated protein expression by means of immunohistochemistry was undertaken. The percentage positivity of p53 immunohistochemistry of this study was 22% which is similar to the reported statistics of various other studies. The immunohistochemistry results also showed an equivocal p53 status in both the positive and negative cases of lymph node metastases. The carcinomas with p53 positivity demonstrated aggressive characteristics, including larger size, higher grade, in comparison with p53 negative cases. The probability of getting positive p53 status was higher for those with severe lymphocytic reaction of tumours, for patients less than 35 years of age and for those with tumour on the left side. This study clearly indicates that p53 over expression in breast cancers are mostly aggressive tumours and they confer poor prognosis and likelihood of a poor response to endocrine therapy and chemotherapy.

Safe chemotherapy and hormone therapy for treating early breast cancer in a glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient patient

Breast cancer is the leading cause of neoplasia-related deaths among women, but no data are available in the literature on the safe use of oncological treatments in glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-deficient patients. This case report describes, for the first time, the treatment of a G6PD-deficient woman diagnosed with breast cancer who underwent adjuvant treatment after quadrantectomy and axillary node dissection. After conservative surgery, many patients require adjuvant treatment with hormone therapy (HT) and/or chemotherapy. Anthracyclines are considered a cornerstone in this setting but, because of their oxidative properties, are contraindicated in G6PD-deficient patients. Despite the absence of data in the literature on their use in G6PD-deficient patients, we chose to use docetaxel and cyclophosphamide because these agents were not predicted to elicit oxidative stress. The patient completed six cycles of docetaxel and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy, and no adverse reactions were observed. Tamoxifen was excluded as a HT as a nonoxidative agent was required; therefore, an aromatase inhibitor was used as adjuvant therapy. Considering the high frequency of breast cancer and G6PD deficiency worldwide, there are little data available in the literature on the oxidative properties of oncological drugs. The oncological community must report cases in which patients with hereditary enzymatic deficiencies are treated successfully with anticancer agents. This would enable clinicians to have access to data that would be very useful in the choice of a safe treatment program.

Li-Fraumeni-like syndrome associated with a large BRCA1 intragenic deletion

BackgroundLi-Fraumeni (LFS) and Li-Fraumeni-like (LFL) syndromes are associated to germline TP53 mutations, and are characterized by the development of central nervous system tumors, sarcomas, adrenocortical carcinomas, and other early-onset tumors. Due to the high frequency of breast cancer in LFS/LFL families, these syndromes clinically overlap with hereditary breast cancer (HBC). Germline point mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, and TP53 genes are associated with high risk of breast cancer. Large rearrangements involving these genes are also implicated in the HBC phenotype.MethodsWe have screened DNA copy number changes by MLPA on BRCA1, BRCA2, and TP53 genes in 23 breast cancer patients with a clinical diagnosis consistent with LFS/LFL; most of these families also met the clinical criteria for other HBC syndromes.ResultsWe found no DNA copy number alterations in the BRCA2 and TP53 genes, but we detected in one patient a 36.4 Kb BRCA1 microdeletion, confirmed and further mapped by array-CGH, encompassing exons 9–19. Breakpoints sequencing analysis suggests that this rearrangement was mediated by flanking Alu sequences.ConclusionThis is the first description of a germline intragenic BRCA1 deletion in a breast cancer patient with a family history consistent with both LFL and HBC syndromes. Our results show that large rearrangements in these known cancer predisposition genes occur, but are not a frequent cause of cancer susceptibility.

Health history after intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

To establish whether intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is associated with other diseases during a woman's lifetime. Prospective controlled cohort study. University Hospital in Finland. A total of 575 women with ICP and 1374 control women, all having delivered in 1969-1988. Questionnaires were sent to 544 ICP patients and 1235 control women. Responses were received from 1178 (66.4%). Questionnaire survey in autumn 2010. Perceived health, symptoms and complaints, diseases diagnosed by a doctor and use of medicines. No statistically significant differences were detected in perceived health. Differences in recent symptoms and complaints were small. Diagnoses made by a doctor showed higher frequencies in the ICP group than in control women for other hepatobiliary diseases, breast cancer and hypothyreosis. Diagnosed hypertension and high cholesterol requiring medication as well as cardiac arrhythmia were less frequent in the ICP group. Women in this group used antacid medicines more often than control women. There were few differences between the ICP patients and control women except for a higher frequency of later hepatobiliary disease, breast cancer and hypothyreosis. Women with a history of ICP should be screened for hypothyreosis more readily than those without. The higher frequency of breast cancer warrants further research.

Breast Cancer among Pakistani Women in Referral Hospitals: An Overview of Risk Factors

The aim of this study was to determine the significance of various reproductive risk factors amongstPakistani women suffering from breast carcinoma. This observational study was carried out fromMarch 2007 to February 2009 at three hospitals. The women who presented with breast swellingwith or without discharge from nipple were included in the study. The diagnosis of breast cancer wasconfirmed by histopathological examination. A questionnaire included history and various reproductiverisk factors. The study patients were divided into two groups by their menopausal history – premenopausaland post-menopausal as ‘group A’ and ‘group B’, respectively. A total of 70 patients hadthe diagnosis of breast cancer. Of them, 32 were in group A and 38 in group B. Regarding agedistribution, 49% were found in ≥51 years of age and 29% in the age group 30 – 40 years. The meanage at menarche was 13.3 years in group A and 12.4 years in group B. Nulliparity was seen in12.5% cases in group A and 5.26% in group B. History of first full term pregnancy (FFTP) belowthe age of 20 was present in majority of cases in both groups though higher in group B. Breast cancerin post-menopausal women was exclusively found among those who had early menarche (&lt;=11years) and was more frequent among those who had FFTP below 20 years of age compared with thepre-menopausal group (88% vs. 66%). The study showed higher frequency of breast cancer in postmenopausalwomen having early menarche and also more frequent among those with early FFTP.Parity, breast feeding, oral contraceptive pill use were not related to breast cancer.Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2010; 4(1): 1-3Indexing Words: Breast carcinoma; risk factors; genetics.DOI: 10.3329/imcj.v4i1.5926

Breast cancer histology and receptor status characterization in Asian Indian and Pakistani women in the U.S. - a SEER analysis

BackgroundRecent reports suggest increase in estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) negative breast cancer yet little is known about histology or receptor status of breast cancer in Indian/Pakistani women.in the U.S.MethodsWe examined the United States National Cancer Institute's Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Cancer program to assess: a) frequency of breast cancer by age, b) histologic subtypes, c) receptor status of breast cancer and, d) survival in Indians/Pakistanis compared to Caucasians. There were 360,933 breast cancer cases diagnosed 1988-2006. Chi-Square analyses and Cox proportional hazards models, to estimate relative risks for breast cancer mortality after adjusting for confounders, were performed using Statistical Analysis Software 9.2.ResultsAmong Asian Indian/Pakistani breast cancer patients, 16.2% were < 40 yrs. old compared to 6.23% in Caucasians (p < 0.0001). Asian Indian women had more invasive ductal carcinoma (69.1 vs. 65.7%, p < 0.0001), inflammatory cancer (1.4% vs. 0.8, p < 0.0001) and less invasive lobular carcinoma (4.2% vs. 8.1%, p < 0.0001) than Caucasians. Asian Indian/Pakistani women had more ER/PR negative breast cancer (30.6% vs. 21.8%, p = 0.0095) than Caucasians. Adjusting for stage at diagnosis, age, tumor grade, nodal status, and histology, Asian Indian/Pakistani women's survival was similar to Caucasians, while African Americans' was worse.ConclusionsAsian Indian/Pakistani women have higher frequency of breast cancer (particularly in age < 40), ER/PR negative invasive ductal and inflammatory cancer than Caucasians.

Could Allelic Discrimination in ETS2 Predispose Individuals to Breast Cancer?

The V-ets erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog2 (ETS2) is known to have a stimulatory role in breast cancer progression. To find out its participation in the development of breast cancer, we have investigated a functional polymorphism in ETS2, rs461155, in a group of breast cancer patients. Allelic and genotypic frequencies obtained were compared with that obtained for ethnically matched healthy control individuals and data reported for four other ethnic groups in the HapMap project. Significant differences in genotypic frequencies were obtained between breast cancer patients and control individuals (p<0.0001). Ethnic groups reported to have higher frequency of breast cancer were observed to have higher frequency of the G allele (p<0.01). In silico analysis revealed that this allele interferes in proper splicing of the ETS2 transcript and thus can alter function of the protein which in turn can influence breast cancer development.