ASPO Abstracts

Epidemiologic Profiles of Breast Diseases in Grenada

Authors: Bieber CM, Sheth A, Hage R

Category: Cancer Health Disparities
Conference Year: 2020

Abstract Body:
Background: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer- related death among women worldwide, with the overall burden of breast cancer shifting considerably toward low- and middle-income countries. The distribution of breast disease seen in such regions underscores the significant public health impact and the necessity of effective public health interventions. Purpose: This study aimed at characterizing the epidemiologic profiles of breast diseases in Grenada during the period of 1984-2009. Methods: Data for the analysis were derived from pathological reports obtained from the General Hospital of Grenada. Results: There were 320 reported cases of breast cancer in Grenadian men and women and 1173 reported cases of benign breast lesions in Grenadian women. The mean age of breast cancer patients for all sexes was 54.85 (±5.59 years) with nearly 1/3 of cancers age 44 and under. Male breast diseases represented 4.24% of diseases and 2.5% of cancer. The three most frequent cancer subtypes in men and women were ductal (61.25%), lobular (6.56%), and medullary (6.25%); the three most frequent benign subtypes in women were fibroadenoma (38.46%), fibrocystic change (25.98%), and miscellaneous (6.75%). Conclusions: The epidemiological characteristics are comparable to those from other developing countries, such as Rwanda and Niger. Similarly, in parallel with other developing nations, the breast cancer reported burden may be underestimated and there is a paucity of high-quality cancer data. Findings from previous and the current studies underscore the importance of establishing reliable cancer surveillance systems in the region to understand and assess the prevalence of cancer. The trajectory of breast cancer morbidity and mortality in developing regions encourages efforts to establish a cancer registry in Grenada in order to provide a foundation for cancer control plans and effective public health interventions. These interventions may include an emphasis on breast cancer education, the promotion of prevention and early detection programs, and the provision of more public facilities and human resources for breast cancer management in order to strengthen the capacity of Grenada’s healthcare system.

Keywords: Grenada Developing countries breast cancer