Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the demographic features, reproductive history and stage at disease presentation among the female breast cancer patients.
Design and setting: The present prospective hospital-based study was conducted in Department of Radiation Oncology, University Teaching and Tertiary Referral Hospital.
Materials and methods: After approval from the Institute's ethical committee, 132 female breast cancer patients surgically treated either by mastectomy or breast conserving surgery (BCS) and then referred to the department of radiation oncology for further management and/or follow-up as per the hospital protocol, were enrolled in the study (January 2010 to December 2011) after obtaining a written informed consent from the patients. The patients were diagnosed by histology [fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), true cut or excision biopsy], mammography and ultrasonography (USG). The patients were analyzed as per the demographic and reproductive history and the stage of disease at presentation. The data collected were expressed as percentage (%), mean, median and standard deviation (SD).
Results: The mean age at presentation was 46.6 ± 10.2 years. The majority of patients were from rural areas, married, multiparous and post-menopausal. The commonest stage at disease presentation was IIb.
Conclusion: In comparison to the rest of Indian scenario, more awareness related to breast cancer among post-menopausal and the rural females is needed. The role of peri-menopausal status, which represent 10% (n = 14) patients needs to be established in relation to breast cancer.