Survival of Breast Cancer in Southern Iran

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women in the western world. With breast cancer now affecting one in ten women, it is important to know how this disease burden is shared among women. Aims: This study was undertaken to determine the survival rate of breast cancer in southern Iran.

Methods and Material: From December 2001 to December 2006, among 8000 hospital-based registered cancer cases in southern Iran, 863 individuals with breast cancer entered our study. One, 5, 10 and 15 year-survival rates were estimated by Kaplan Meier function.

Results: Mean age at the time of diagnosis of breast cancer was 46.3 years (SD=11.5). About 25.4% had a previous family history of cancer in their first and 13.8% in their second degree relatives. About 92.5%, 71.3% and 41.4% of breast cancer cases underwent surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, respectively. Nearly 11.7% of patients had a history of exposure to chemical materials. About 32.3% were passive and 19.2% were active smokers. Totally, one, 5, 10 and 15 year-survival rates were 97%, 67%, 45% and 25%, respectively. The survival rate had a significant negative correlation with age at the time of diagnosis.

Conclusions: The survival rate of women with breast cancer in southern Iran seems to be identical to other parts of the country and stands between western and eastern European countries.