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

Abstract

Objective . To describe the profile of breast cancer in the patients attending the radiation therapy unit of Yaounde General Hospital. Method . From 1989 to 2009, we conducted a descriptive retrospective study based on the register and medical records of patients. Results . During the study period, 531 breast cancer patients were recorded of which 0.75% were male. Age range was 18 to 82 years, with a mean of 45.17 years. Out of these, 66.1% were less than 50 years old and 31.9% less than 40. Self detection was the discovery method in most cases (95.34% of patients). Mean delay before presentation at hospital was 10.35 months, and 54.94% had used traditional medicine before medical evaluation. Metastasis and locally advanced breast cancer at diagnosis were present in 08.13% and 62.78%, respectively. Mastectomy was used in 88.08% of patients. Conclusion . The study reinforces the position occupied by late presentation and advanced stage at diagnosis of breast cancer profile in developing countries.