BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is the most common cause of death from cancer in women worldwide. A comprehensive study of breast cancer in different parts of a country can provide the information for evidence-based planning and, consequently, cost reduction for both the patient and the society. The aim of this study was to investigate the types of pathological lesions in cases of breast cancer diagnosed in Babol (a city in the north of Iran) over 10 years.
METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, all pathological reports on breast cancer that were recorded in Babol's pathology centers from 2008 to 2017 were studied. Demographic data, age of first menstruation, age of menopause, age of first delivery, history of breast cancer, history of ovarian and uterine cancer, history and duration of breastfeeding were collected and evaluated.
FINDINGS: In this study, the frequency of breast cancer among diagnosed cases of cancer was reported to be 22.4%. 331 patients (99.1%) were female and 3 patients (0.9%) were male. 41.3% were in the age group of 41 – 50 years old. 26 patients (7.7%) had a history of breast cancer and 34 patients (10.1%) had a family history of breast cancer. 287 (85.9%) women had a history of breastfeeding. Ductal carcinoma was reported in 267 patients (79.9%).
CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, ductal carcinoma was reported as the most common type of pathology.