Epidemiological data analysis of patients accompanied by mammary cancer in a hospital in Fortaleza (CE), Brazil

Abstract

Objective: Through the impact on public health and the importance of breast cancer for women’s health, the aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors, demographic data, findings on physical examination and the findings of laboratory tests of a population of patients under treatment for breast cancer at a hospital in Fortaleza. Methods: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study, descriptive and retrospective hospitalbased. Data were collected through an instrument for collecting information. The variables included age, menarche, parity, age at first birth, hormone therapy, breastfeeding, family history, smoking, alcoholism, findings on physical examination, laboratory tests imaging and histopathology. It analyzed the classification BI-RADS of imaging. Results: The median age was 55 years. Among the risk factors menarche ranged from 9 to 18 years old. 70.0% of women had up to four children, breastfeeding history in 86.7%. Hormonal therapy factor was present in 20.3% (11/54) lasting from 1 to 10; smoking in 32.7% (18/55). 36.8% (25/68) had a family history of breast cancer. Analyzing the results of the first mammography monitoring, we found that 28.5% (14/49) showed BI-RADS 0 and 59.2% (29/49) showed BI-RADS 4–6. Conclusion: The overall impact of breast cancer in women is considerable and growing in many countries. An adequate characterization of affected populations assists healthcare professionals by improving their level of suspicion and contributing to early diagnosis.