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A Profile of Female Breast Cancer Patients in a Kenyan Urban Private Hospital
Abstract
Background
Breast cancer shows differences between the Afro- American and Western population. We present data from our centre, analyze the age variation, parity and compare it to Kenyan data from a public hospital and worldwide data. We designed a study to evaluate important characteristics of a mixed socio-demographic population of female breast cancer patients who are referred from monthly breast clinics or seek care at a private hospital and compare it to similar characteristics in the western population.
Methods
This was a retrospective study of two hundred and sixty patient case records with a diagnosis of breast cancer. Patient charts were retrieved and assessed for age, stage and parity profiling and this was compared to western data by search through medical databases (Pubmed and Uptodate Ver 19.3.)
Results
The highest proportion of cases was in the 45-49 year range (15%). 136 records were retrieved with data on parity and staging. Of all patients, 26% had a parity of three while 16% of the cases were nulliparous. Of the patients, 124 had data on staging; 67.5% had late disease at the time of presentation. Of those under 50 years, 31% had early disease. Patients over 50 made up 34% of the women.
Conclusion
Aga Khan University Hospital sees a different age profile at time of diagnosis from that seen in the Western population which is mainly postmenopausal. Despite our population being affluent, urban and with access to information and healthcare facilities, there is still significant number presenting with late disease.
Breast cancer shows differences between the Afro- American and Western population. We present data from our centre, analyze the age variation, parity and compare it to Kenyan data from a public hospital and worldwide data. We designed a study to evaluate important characteristics of a mixed socio-demographic population of female breast cancer patients who are referred from monthly breast clinics or seek care at a private hospital and compare it to similar characteristics in the western population.
Methods
This was a retrospective study of two hundred and sixty patient case records with a diagnosis of breast cancer. Patient charts were retrieved and assessed for age, stage and parity profiling and this was compared to western data by search through medical databases (Pubmed and Uptodate Ver 19.3.)
Results
The highest proportion of cases was in the 45-49 year range (15%). 136 records were retrieved with data on parity and staging. Of all patients, 26% had a parity of three while 16% of the cases were nulliparous. Of the patients, 124 had data on staging; 67.5% had late disease at the time of presentation. Of those under 50 years, 31% had early disease. Patients over 50 made up 34% of the women.
Conclusion
Aga Khan University Hospital sees a different age profile at time of diagnosis from that seen in the Western population which is mainly postmenopausal. Despite our population being affluent, urban and with access to information and healthcare facilities, there is still significant number presenting with late disease.
