Effect of Family History on Clinical and Pathological Characteristics of Breast Cancer: a Hospital-Based Study in Egypt

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most common female malignancy. The family history of breast cancer increases the risk of the disease. Objectives: To assess the frequency of familial breast cancer among breast cancer patients attending oncology outpatient clinics in Menoufia University Hospital and to compare the clinical and pathological characteristics of familial and sporadic breast cancer. Methods: The study was conducted on 150 women with familial or sporadic breast cancer who were attending oncology outpatient clinics, Menoufia University Hospital for follow up or receiving treatment. The participants were interviewed by predesigned questionnaire to assess risk factors for breast cancer. Data on different characteristics of the tumors were gathered from patients' medical records. Results: Familial cases represented 18.7% of studied breast cancer patients. The age of onset seems to be younger in familial breast cancers (P=0.008). Percentage of familial breast cancer cases was significantly more prevalent among premenopausal females (P=0.007). Percentage of studied cases who breastfed their babies, had bilateral breast cancer, had triple negative breast cancer and with larger tumor size (T4) was significantly more prevalent among familial than sporadic breast cancer cases (P=0.023, 0.006, 0.000, 0.000 respectively). About 63% of sporadic cases were among hormonal contraceptive users versus 43% in familial group (P=0.040). There was no significant difference between familial and sporadic groups regarding histological type was observed. Conclusion: Familial cases represented 18.7% of studied breast cancer patients. Familial breast cancer seems to affect premenopausal young women and tends to present at the larger size, bilateral and triple negative tumors.