Breast Cancer in Middle Euphrates Region of Iraq: Risk Factors, Presenting Symptoms and Time to Medical Help-Seeking

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequently occurring tumor and the first cause of death in females. Low level of understanding early symptoms leads to a late diagnosis and high mortality rates. Aims: To describe presenting symptoms, risk factors, and medical care delays among breast cancer patients in Iraq. Materials & Methods: A retrospective, descriptive study conducted in Al-Hussein center in Karbala province of Iraq between February 2012 and August 2020.Results: There were 101 female patients with breast cancer, median age was 45 years. Most of our patients diagnosed incidentally and only 17.82% of our patients were performing breast self examination. Lack of physical activity was the most common risk factors in more than 74% of patients. Painless breast lump was the most frequent symptom in 85.14% of patients. Majority of our patients 58.42% asked medical help within six months. Limited knowledge about symptoms was the common barriers for early diagnosis in 43.94% of patients. Conclusion: Lack of knowledge about breast cancer had a major concern in our region. Increasing awareness about early symptoms and risk factors is very important for early diagnosis and proper management.

Health system barriers influencing timely breast cancer diagnosis and treatment among women in low and middle-income Asian countries: evidence from a mixed-methods systematic review

“…The sample sizes of the studies ranged from 10 to 499 for the quantitative, qualitative, and mixed studies. The studies were conducted across 10 countries in Asia: 18 studies are from South Asia [ 23 , 24 , 29 – 31 , 33 , 34 , 37 – 39 , 41 – 48 ], seven studies are from Southeast Asia [ 25 – 28 , 32 , 36 , 40 ], and a study from Western Asia [ 35 ] (see Table 2 ).…”

“…Eighteen studies identified health workforce. Among the health workforce factors, the unavailability of doctors [ 32 , 35 ], especially oncologists and cancer specialists [ 38 , 48 ] served as a barrier to early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Several studies reported the lack and preference for female doctors over male doctors [ 24 , 31 , 37 – 39 , 42 ].…”

“… Cross-sectional study 372 breast cancer patients Referral delay and oncologist delay. Health workforce Mjali et al, (2021) [ 35 ] Iraq To describe presenting symptoms, risk factors, and medical care delays among breast cancer patients in Iraq. Retrospective descriptive study 101 women with breast cancer Non-availability of doctors.…”

changes of serum irisin levels in postmenopausal breast cancer women

“…Meanwhile, the serum level of irisin was positively correlated with tumor stage. These results suggest that irisin can be used in the early diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and prognosis of breast cancer (13)(14)(15)(16) .…”

Histopathological Patterns and Luminal Subtypes among Breast Cancer Patients in the Middle Euphrates Region of Iraq

“…This retrospective descriptive research was carried out in the Al-Hussein Cancer Center in Karbala province of Iraq on female breast cancer patients diagnosed between January 2012 and August 2020. Our center covers not only Karbala peoples but other patients from the Middle Euphrates area in Iraq who are referred to this center for solid and hematological malignancy management [9]. All patients were diagnosed by tru-cut or excisional biopsy and confirmed by immunohistochemistry markers.…”