Breast cancer burden in bayelsa state, nigeria: a histopathological profile

Introduction: Breast carcinoma is the most common malignancy in females and ranks amongst the leading causes of cancer deaths in females in Nigeria and worldwide. Aim: To analyze the breast cancers in Bayelsa state histopathologically, providing baseline data for management, education and awareness. Methods: A retrospective descriptive histopathological multicentre study of malignant breast diseases in the three histopathology enabled centres in Bayelsa state from January 2009 to December 2013. Results: A total of 106 (31.7%) malignant breast diseases were seen during the study period. All the malignant breast lesions occurred in females. The age range was 25-85 years with a mean age of 46.8years. The peak age incidence was in the 4th decade (32.1%) and 69.8% of the breast cancers occurred in premenopausal women. Invasive ductal carcinoma not otherwise specified (78.3%) was the most common. Majority was high grade cancers (46.6%) and most occurred in the left breast (53.6%). Conclusion: Breast cancers were predominantly invasive ductal carcinoma of high grade mainly in premenopausal women. The presence of high grade tumours with poor prognosis at young ages call for more rigorous approaches to management including early and targeted screening, better education, increased public awareness and subsidization of treatment cost.