Breast cancer survival in Guerrero: oncologic care and geographic disparities in Mexico

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer (BC) represents a public health concern among women. Despite the incidence and disparities in economic status, the state of Guerrero in Mexico demonstrates a lower BC mortality rate. Objective: This study investigates the epidemiological characteristics, treatment modalities, and survival outcomes of BC patients in Guerrero, and compares these findings with national data. Method: A retrospective cohort of 923 BC patients treated at the Instituto Estatal de Cancerología Dr. Arturo Beltrán Ortega, from 2010 to 2018 was analyzed. To determine the prognostic factors affecting survival, we employed overall survival analysis and the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: The 5-year survival rate was of 73% (CI 95%: 69-76). BC patients ≤ 40 years exhibited lower survival rates and a 1.5-fold higher risk of mortality. When comparing the triple-negative subtype to HER2-positive tumors, no significant differences in reducing the risk of death were observed. Conclusion: Despite a higher prevalence of aggressive molecular subtypes in Guerrero, patients share clinical and epidemiological features with their counterparts in other Mexican regions.