Breast Cancer in the Province of Cienfuegos over a Five-year Period (2007-2011)

Background: breast cancer represents the primary site and the second cause of malignancy-related death in Cuban women; therefore it is considered a health problem and a line of research prioritized by the ministry of Public Health. Objective: to characterize breast cancer in the province of Cienfuegos over the five-year period from 2007 to 2011. Methods: a descriptive and prospective study was conducted including all patients operated on for breast cancer in the province of Cienfuegos for 5 years, from January 1st, 2007 to December 31st, 2011. The variables analyzed were: sex, age, affected breast, topographic location, histological type, clinical stage at diagnosis, type of biopsy used and surgical techniques applied. In order to gather the data, a model was created and later applied to each patient. Besides, the medical records and bioptic protocols were reviewed. Results: there are high incidence rates in this five-year period. Patients older than 50 years are most affected and invasive ductal carcinoma is the most commonly diagnosed type. 80,6 % of malignancies were diagnosed during early stages. Conclusions: breast cancer is a health problem in the province of Cienfuegos, showing high incidence rates; however 80,6 % of malignancies are diagnosed at curable stages.