Clinical presentation of breast cancer in the UAE

ABSTRACT

A retrospective study of 153 patients with cancer of the breast analysed according to age, sex, nationality, family history and mode of presentation is reported. 76 [49.7%] patients were less than 43 years and premenopausal. The left breast was more frequently involved 82 [53.59%], and only 32 [25.6%] were clinical stage I or II. 22 [18.97%] presented within two months of awareness of symptoms. 99 [86.84%] patients had tumours more than 2 cm and a painful lump causing discomfort forced 77 [51.68%] patients to seek medical attention. The majority breast fed and bore children and 18 [15.15%] were lactating mothers. The turnours seemed to grow aggressively when discovered at a younger age