Comparison of breast cancer characteristics in young women <50 year and elderly >=50 year at Mankweng Hospital in Limpopo province, South Africa
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer normally occurs in elderly women, although it also affects young women. In the Limpopo province, South Africa over 38% of breast cancer occurred in younger women under 50 years of age. The main objectives of the study were to identify the characteristics of breast cancer in women >50 years and <50 years and to categorise any differences (histological type, stage, grading and molecular subtype) exist between these two groups of breast cancer patients.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional design study to analyse the profile of women >50 and <50 years with breast cancer who attended Mankweng Breast Oncology Clinic from July 2020 to December 2021. Patient demographics were summarised using descriptive statistics. Categorical variables were expressed as proportions and frequency. Association between categorical variables was done using a Chi-square test.
Results: Total 222 patients. Age: >50 years-old: 131(59%); <50 years old: 91(41%). Age: >50 years group: Early stage: 49(37.4%), late stage: 82(62.6%). Molecular subtype: luminal A: 23(17.6%); luminal B: 67(51.2%); HER-2 overexpression: 21(16%); triple negative: 20(15.3%). Histological type: invasive ductal carcinoma: 126(96.2%). Age: <50 years group: Early stage: 31(34.1%), late stage: 60(65.9%). Molecular subtype: luminal A: 28(30.8%); luminal B: 40(44%); HER-2 overexpression: 5(5.5%); triple negative: 18(19.8%). Histological type: invasive ductal carcinoma: 89(98%).
Conclusion: Majority of patients presented at an advanced stage in both groups. HER2 overexpression molecular subtype was higher in the >50-year patient group in compared to <50 years group (p-value 0.016). Health education and breast cancer awareness campaigns are essential for all women, young and elderly in the Limpopo province.
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