Breast Cancer in Young Women in Latin America: An Unmet, Growing Burden

Abstract

Background. Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of malignancy-related deaths among women aged Յ45 years. There are unexplored and uncertain issues for BC in this particular group in Latin America. The aim of this study is to evaluate BC incidence and mortality among young women and related clinicopathological and survivorship aspects in this region. Materials and Methods. Data were obtained from Globocan 2008 and the International Agency for Research on Cancer's Cancer Incidence in Five Continents series plus databases. We requested collaborationfromthe12differentnationalcancerin-stitutes in Latin America through SLACOM, the Latin American andCaribbeanSocietyofMedicalOncology,andconductedasystematic literature review to obtain local data regarding the prevalence of BC among young women and their characteristics, outcomes, and survivorship-related issues. Results. BC incidence and mortality proportions for Latin American women aged Ͻ44 years were higher when compared with those of developed countries (20% vs. 12% and 14% vs. 7%, respectively). We found only a few Latin American series addressing this topic, and prevalence varied between 8% and 14%. Stage II and III disease, high histological grade, and triple-negative and HER2 BC were features frequently observed among young Latin American BC patients. Conclusion. The rising incidence and mortality of BC in young Latin American women is a call to action in the region. It is necessary to monitor the epidemiological and clinical data through reliable cancer registries and to consider the implementation of protocols for education of patients and health professionals. This unmet, growing burden must be considered as a top priority of the national programs in the fight against BC, and models of specialized units should be implemented for this particular group of patients to provide better care for this emergent challenge. The Oncologist 2013;18: 1298 -1306 Implications for Practice: This review illustrates that breast cancer (BC) among Latin American women is a growing burden throughout the region. The increased proportion of BC cases in young women is important because their diagnoses and tumor behavior are usually more aggressive than in their older counterparts. The findings of this study reveal that there is scarce information regarding this matter in Latin American countries, especially concerning the particular effects and complications that this group of women face during and after treatment. Also, there are no specific clinical or educational programs that focus on this population. A call to action from health policy planners, medical providers, researchers, BC patients, families, and the community in general is deserved for better care of this emergent challenge.

The Rise in Mortality from Breast Cancer in Young Women: Trend Analysis in Brazil

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Significant clinical impact of recurrent BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in Mexico

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Targeting ferritin receptors for the selective delivery of imaging and therapeutic agents to breast cancer cells

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