Gynecological characteristics related to breast cancer in pre and postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was two fold: to identify gynecological characteristics that distinguish women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer from those at more advanced stages; to identify distinguishing characteristics between premenopausal and postmenopausal women diagnosed with the same stage. POPULATION AND METHOD: 186 incident cases diagnosed with breast cancer were identified out of the 685 patients who were seen to in 2000-2001. The variables to be studied were obtained by means of a specific questionnaire which collected data concerning reproductive characteristics and contraceptive types. RESULTS: Significant differences in the mean age were found, since the early-stage group was younger (57.01+/-12.82 vs. 65.06+/-15.11). Characteristic factors found in pre-menopausal women were: early menopause, they either had no children or a single child, no breastfeeding practice and a more extensive use of contraceptives. Postmenopausal women presented more advanced stages, more pregnancies and less abortions. CONCLUSIONS: By taking the obtained results into consideration, it would be recommendable to bring forward the age at which women are to be included in early detection programmes, and to conduct a follow-up of those women who present such factors to favour an earlier diagnosis of the disease.

Gynecological characteristics related to breast cancer in pre and postmenopausal women

No disponible

Background. The objective of this study was twofold: to identify gynecological characteristics thatdistinguish women diagnosed with early-stagebreast cancer from those at more advanced stages;to identify distinguishing characteristics betweenpremenopasual and postmenopausal women diagnosedwith the same stage.Population and method. 186 incident cases diagnosedwith breast cancer were identified out of the685 patients who were seen to in 2000-2001. Thevariables to be studied were obtained by means of aspecific questionnaire which collected data concerningreproductive characteristics and contraceptivetypes.Results. Significant differences in the mean age werefound, since the early-stage group was younger(57.01 ± 12.82 vs. 65.06 ± 15.11). Characteristical factorsfound in pre-menopausal women were: earlymenopause, they either had no children or a singlechild, no breastfeeding practice and a more extensiveuse of contraceptives. Postmenopausal womenpresented more advanced stages, more pregnanciesand less abortions.Conclusions. By taking the obtained results intoconsideration, it would be recommendable to bringforward the age at which women are to be includedin early detection programmes, and to conduct afollow-up of those women who present such factorsto favour an earlier diagnosis of the disease

[Application of the Gail method of calculating risk in the population of Valencia]. / Aplicación del método de Gail de cálculo de riesgo de cáncer de mama a la población valenciana.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to verify whether the method defined by Gail is applicable and predictive in a population of women in Valencia (Spain). POPULATION AND METHODS: Of the 685 patients diagnosed with breast cancer and attended-to in 2000-2001, 186 incident cases were identified. The variables studied were obtained from a specific questionnaire which included characteristics of reproductive history, number of biopsies and contraceptive pill consumption prior to the diagnosis. Using the model of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), an adaptation of the Gail model, the risk of developing breast cancer at 5 years was estimated. RESULTS: Only 40% of those women diagnosed as having breast cancer would have been identified as a high-risk patient by the Gail method. With our population group, the method detected the elderly women with a medical history of breast cancer who developed advanced stage disease. CONCLUSIONS: The Gail method does not adapt well to the study population of Valencia. It would be necessary to add other risk-factors to the Gail method so as to identify more patients in our area.