Breast cancer in a low‐risk population. The influence of age and menstrual status on disease pattern and survival in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

3 positive lymph nodes were more numerous than expected. Differences between pre‐menopausal and post‐menopausal patients have persisted after categorizing patients into 2 age‐groups with a cut‐off point at 50 years. Comparable initial assessment and therapeutic modalities were offered to the 2 menopausal groups. At the time of analysis (January, 1991) all patients had a complete follow‐up. Over a median follow‐up of 46 months, the overall median survival (±SE) was 85.7 (±4.4) months with a survival probability (±SE) at 5 years of 62% (±5%). The proportional hazard model of Cox has identified advanced stage (stages III and IV) and involvement of lymph nodes as the only independent adverse predictors of survival with estimated hazard rates of 2.9 and 2.8, respectively. Unadjusted analysis, adjusted analysis and stratified survival functions failed to reveal any survival difference based on age or menstrual status. We conclude that, in a low‐risk population and despite apparent baseline differences in demographic and disease characteristics between pre‐menopausal and post‐menopausal breast cancer patients, neither age nor menopausal status had a significant influence on survival. Our results should guide future cancer‐care programs in Saudi Arabia. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Copyright © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company