Caracterización del cáncer de mama de un servicio de salud pública del sur de Chile según edad, período 2005-2015

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer morbidity and mortality has increased in Chile, and the Talcahuano Health Service (THS) has taken measures for an early detection and complying with the country’s Explicit Health Guarantees program (GES in Spanish). Objective: To characterize admissions to the THS for breast cancer between 2005 and 2015. Methods: Cross-sectional study, consisting of 1077 women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the Mammary Pathologies Unit of the THS. Variables: age, histological type, staging, treatment, and GES compliance. Univariate and bivariate analysis, using SPSS v25. Results: Cases increased every year but on 2011, with 35.5% of them being women aged 65 or older. Invasive ductal carcinoma accounted for 73.5% of the histological types, while 41.9% presented a tumor size of 2-5 cm. Women aged 65 and older showed the highest percentages in frequency and tumor size. 78.6% of cases were admitted while on stages 0 to IIB. Most frequent treatments were hormone therapy (81.4%), radiotherapy (80.1%), partial mastectomy (69.4%), chemotherapy (56.3%), and axillary dissection (55.7%). GES compliance was higher in the diagnosis stage (87.0%) than at the start of treatment (77.3%). Conclusion: Breast cancer rates have steadily increased in the THS but on 2011, which could be due to the 2010 Chile earthquake. Most admissions are women aged 50 or more (especially ≥ 65), on early stages, and under more traditional treatments. There is a high rate of GES compliance in this health service.