No abstract

No abstract

Background Late diagnoses and poor prognoses of breast cancer are common throughout Africa. Methods To identify responsible factors, we utilized data from a population-based case-control study involving 1,184 women with breast malignancies conducted in three hospitals in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana. Interviews focused on potential breast cancer risk factors as well as factors that might contribute to presentation delays. We calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) comparing malignances with biopsy masses larger than 5 cm. (62.4% of the 1,027 cases with measurable lesions) to smaller lesions. Results In multivariate analyses, strong predictors of larger masses were limited education (OR=1.96, 95% CI 1.32–2.90

The purpose of this study was to carry out a comparative study to investigate the effect of lipid profile, oestradiol and obesity on the risk of a woman developing breast cancer. This study was carried out at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Peace and Love Hospital, Oduom, Kumasi and Redeemed Clinic, Nima, Accra between May 2002 and March 2003. In this study, 200 consented women comprising 100 breast cancer patients (43 pre- and 57 post-menopausal) and 100 controls (45 pre- and 55 post-menopausal) with similar age range (25 to 80 years) were assessed for lipid profile, oestradiol and BMI. There was a significant increase in Body Mass Index (BMI) (p = 0.011), Total Cholesterol (TC) (p < 0.001), triglyceride (p = 0.026) and low density lipoprotein (LDL-cholesterol) (p = 0.001) of the breast cancer patients compared to the controls. With the exception of oestradiol (EST) that decreased, the lipid profile generally increased with age in both subjects and controls with the subjects having a much higher value than the corresponding control. There was also a significant positive correlation between BMI and TC (r2 = 0.022; p = 0.002) and also between BMI and LDL-cholesterol (r2 = 0.031; p = 0.0003). Apart from EST and LDL-cholesterol that were increased significantly only in the postmenopausal phase in comparison to the controls, BMI, TC and TG were increased in both pre-menopausal and post menopausal phases with HDL-cholesterol remaining unchanged. This study confirms the association between dyslipidaemia, BMI and increased breast cancer risk.

The impacts of COVID-19 present substantial challenges and opportunities in global oncology

Background In case-control studies, population controls can help ensure generalizability; however, the selection of population controls can be challenging in environments that lack population registries. We developed a population enumeration and sampling strategy to facilitate use of population controls in a breast cancer case-control study conducted in Ghana. Methods Household enumeration was conducted in 110 census-defined geographic areas within Ghana’s Ashanti, Central, Eastern, and Greater Accra Regions. A pool of potential controls (women aged 18 to 74 years, never diagnosed with breast cancer) was selected from the enumeration using systematic random sampling and frequency-matched to the anticipated distributions of age and residence among cases. Multiple attempts were made to contact potential controls to assess eligibility and arrange for study participation. To increase participation, we implemented a refusal conversion protocol in which initial non-participants were re-approached after several months. Results 2,528 women were sampled from the enumeration listing, 2,261 (89%) were successfully contacted, and 2,106 were enrolled (overall recruitment of 83%). 170 women were enrolled through refusal conversion. Compared with women enrolled after being first approached, refusal conversion enrollees were younger and less likely to complete the study interview in the study hospital (13% vs. 23%). The most common reasons for non-participation were lack of interest and lack of time. Conclusions Using household enumeration and repeated contacts, we were able to recruit population controls with a high participation rate. Our approach may provide a blue-print for others undertaking epidemiologic studies in populations that lack accessible population registries.

No abstract

This study was carried out to determine the sensitivity and specificity of serum CA 15-3 as a marker in detecting and monitoring treatment in, breast cancer patients. One hundred and ten patients comprising 35 known breast cancer patients, 75 suspected cases and 20 controls entered the study. Blood samples were taken before and after treatment from the 35 known cases as well as the 75 suspected cases from which biopsy specimens were also taken. Serum CA 15-3 was measured by BioCheck CA 15-3 Enzyme Immunoassay. There was a significant difference between the concentration of serum CA 15-3 of the 35 known breast cancer patients before and after treatment (p < 0.05). Out of the 75 suspected cases, 46 had breast cancer and 29 had benign breast disease (histologically proven). There was a strong positive correlation between the level of serum CA 15-3 and the histopathology results of the biopsies (r = 0.518). The mean serum CA 15-3 concentration of the 46 patients (80.6 +/- 70.2 U mL(-1)) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the 29 patients with benign breast disease (12.0 +/- 9.0). The sensitivity and specificity of the serum CA 15-3 in detecting breast cancer was 76.1 and 100%, respectively at a cut-off of 35 U mL(-1). Serum CA 15-3 was found to have a value in the early detection and monitoring of treatment of breast cancer in Ghana.