ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among Iranian women. This study was designed to estimate the burden of breast cancer in Tehran, the capital of Iran. METHODS: In this retrospective study, the existing data of Tehran Population Based Cancer Registry (TCR) from 1998 to 2001 were used; all Tehranian women with breast cancer were followed for computing the survival and remission rates. The World Health Organization's Practical Guide of National Burden of Disease Studies was employed for performing the study. The data for breast cancer were analyzed with DISMOD II software and Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY) were computed using Excel based software. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 51.3+/-12.5, 31.4% being under 40 years old. The incidence rate of breast cancer was estimated to be 17.09 (95 %CI: 15.67-18.50) per 100,000 women. The five year survival rate was 75 %. The DALY for breast cancer was 4,252 years (95 %CI: 3896-4604). CONCLUSION: Breast cancer is a high burden in the community. More than 36% of the tumors occur in women under 40 years old. Comprehensive national cancer control programs including promotion of awareness, early detection, treatment and palliative cares are vitally important for decreasing the burden of breast cancer in Iran. This strategy should be strongly recommended to policy makers and special programs should be considered for women under 40 years old.