Breast Cancer Profile in a Group of Patients Followed up at the Radiation Therapy Unit of the Yaounde General Hospital, Cameroon
2011

Breast Cancer Profile in Patients at Yaounde General Hospital

Sample size: 531 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Kemfang Ngowa J. D., Yomi J., Kasia J. M., Mawamba Y., Ekortarh A. C., Vlastos G.

Primary Institution: Yaounde General Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I

Hypothesis

To describe the profile of breast cancer in the patients attending the radiation therapy unit of Yaounde General Hospital.

Conclusion

The study highlights the late presentation and advanced stage of breast cancer diagnosis in Cameroon.

Supporting Evidence

  • 66.1% of breast cancer patients were under 50 years old.
  • 95.34% of cases were discovered through self-detection.
  • 54.94% of patients used traditional medicine before medical evaluation.
  • 62.78% presented with locally advanced breast cancer at diagnosis.
  • 88.08% of patients underwent mastectomy.

Takeaway

This study shows that many people in Cameroon find out they have breast cancer too late, which makes it harder to treat.

Methodology

A descriptive retrospective study based on the register and medical records of patients from 1989 to 2009.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to reliance on self-reported data and incomplete medical records.

Limitations

33% of medical files were incomplete, unexploitable, or missing.

Participant Demographics

The study included 531 breast cancer patients, 527 females and 4 males, with ages ranging from 18 to 82 years.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1155/2011/143506

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