Epidemiological, Clinical, and Histopathological Features of Breast Cancer in Haiti

PURPOSE: Little is known about the epidemiology of breast cancer in developing countries, and Haiti has perhaps the least data of any country in the Western Hemisphere. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all patients enrolled in an ongoing breast cancer treatment program in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, from July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2017. Data were drawn from each patient's electronic medical record, paper chart, and biopsy results. RESULTS: The records of 525 women with breast cancer were reviewed for this study. The median age at presentation was 49 years (n = 507). The risk factors observed were as follows: postmenopausal, 50.8% (n = 354); nulliparity, 15.7% (n = 338); hormonal contraception use, 35.0% (n = 309); never breastfed, 20.6% (n = 316); family history of any cancer, 22.0% (n = 295); overweight, 51.5% (n = 332); and smoking, 5.0% (n = 338). Of all those staged, 83.9% (n = 447) of the patients presented with stage III/IV disease and more than half delayed care for > 12 months after first noticing a breast mass. For the subset of tumors for which estrogen receptor (ER; n = 245) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2; n = 179) status was available, the prevalence of ER-positive tumors was 51.8%, of HER2-positive tumors was 19.6%, and of triple-negative tumors was 38.5%. The 12-month mortality rate (n = 425) was 18.4% overall and 27.5% for those who presented with stage IV disease. Median survival was not reached. CONCLUSION: Breast cancer in Haiti presents at an early age and advanced stage. Triple-negative, ER-negative, and high-grade tumors are common. Delays in seeking care and incomplete treatment likely contribute to the high mortality rate; however, as in black women in the United States, the distribution of tumor types may contribute to disparate outcomes.