Affiliations 

  • 1 Duchess of Kent Hospital (Malaysia)
MyJurnal

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is the commonest cancer in Malaysia, predominantly among women under age of 60 and they often presented late. Borneo is home to multi-racial indigenous with heterogeneous background and breast cancer profile can be absolutely unique. This study aims to examine the demographic characteristics and stage at presentation in Sandakan women with newly diagnosed breast cancer. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, retrospec-tive study involving those women who were newly diagnosed with breast cancer from January 2016 to December 2018 in Duchess of Kent Hospital, Sandakan identified via hospital cancer registry and patient records. Only breast cancer with epithelial origin was included. Age, ethnicity and stages at presentation of breast cancer were analysed. Logistic regression was used to study their relationships. Results: 110 women were newly diagnosed as breast cancer. Mean age was 53.5 (SD 12.7), the youngest at 30 and the eldest at 97. Majority (64.6%) were local indigenous wom-en, constituted by 25.4% Sungai, 14.1% Kadazan-Dusun, 12.7% Bugis and the minorities. Chinese women are the main local non-indigenous (32.7%) followed by 2.7% Malay. 52.1% presented at late stages (stage III/IV). Subgroup analysis of T-staging revealed 41.7% had advanced symptoms (T3/T4). Indigenous group was more likely to present at younger ages (OR 12.0; 95%CI 1.5-93.8) and with advanced symptoms (OR 3.1; 95%CI 1.2-8.0). Conclusion: Awareness on breast cancer remains inadequate particularly among indigenous women. Difficult healthcare accessi-bility and incline towards traditional medicine could attribute to late presentation. Outreach awareness programmes are warranted in addition to mobile screening services.