Incidence of Breast Cancer in Fars Province, Southern Iran: A Hospital-Based Study

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is still considered as one of the most common female cancers worldwide regardless of the countries’ level of development. This study determines the incidence of breast cancer in Fars Province, Southern Iran. METHODS: This study used patients' records from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Cancer Registry Centre, which is a Hospital-Based Registry of Nemazee Hospital. Data were recorded based on International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O) and compromised all invasive cancers in ICD-10 categories of C-00 to C-80. The findings were shown as the number of cases by site (ICD-10) and gender, with crude incidence (CRs), age-specific incidence and age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) per 100,000 persons per year, performed by direct method using the world standard population. RESULTS: The age group of 40-49 years had the highest rate of breast cancer and naturally most cases were post-menopause ones. Most cases were diagnosed in moderate differentiated state with an increasing trend. Early diagnosis of in situ neoplasms has not increased over time in comprised with malignant cases. The number of diagnosed cases has sharply increased after year 2004 especially during post-menopause period. CONCLUSION: As the number of diagnosed cases has increased during post-menopausal period, screening and health programs seem necessary for menopause women.