Study design

Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Study area

Capital center for oncology and breast cancer

Study population

All females who were attending in Khartoum oncology center during research period.

Sample size

Sample taken by total coverage of patients; the number of patients was (N=200).

Methods of data collection

Primary sources: Data was collected using questionnaires to gather information about the female patients' socio-demographic data, anthropometric measures (Body mass index) and risk factors that contributed to the breast cancer.

Secondary sources

The secondary data collected from different references, internet, and relevant research and studies.              

Method of data analysis

The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) with the version (20).

Ethical consideration

1-The approval was taken from the Ministry of Health IRB number (112.03.2021).

2-Approval was taken   also from the Oncology center for breast cancer.

3-Research purpose and objectives were explained to female patients in clear simple words.

Results

Table 1 shows that 39% of female patients in the age group of (31-40) and (13%) of them at the age group of (20-30) year old.

Table 2 reveals that (57.5%) female patients detected breast cancer a month ago, 57.5% had detected breast cancer between month and one year and only (10%) of them had detected breast cancer for more than one year. Showing problem of late detection.

Table 3 reveals that (48%) of female patients had low incomes, while (16.5%) had high income.

Table 4 reveals that (51.5%) of female patients did not breastfeed and (12%) breastfed their children for more than one year.

Table 5 reveals that (51.5%) of female patients did not breastfeed and (12%) breastfed their children for more than one year. Demonstrates that (67.5%) of the female patients were in Pre-menopause stage while (32.5%) were on menopause stage.

200

Table 6 demonstrates that (67.5%) of the female patients were in Pre-menopause stage while (32.5%) were on menopause stage.

Table 7 shows that (50.5%) of female patients had irregular menstrual cycle while (49.5%) did not have regular menstrual cycle.

Table 8 demonstrates that (31%) of the female patients were overweight While (4.5%) of them had morbid obesity (≥ 40 Kg/m²).Table 10 demonstrates that (57.5%) of the female patients used Hormone replacement therapy while (42.5%) of them did not use it.

Figure 4 shows that (71%) of female patients took vitamins/supplement while (29%) of them did not take vitamin as the supplement. Reveals that (53.5%) of female patients did not take traditional medicine and (46.5%) of them took traditional medicines.

Table 11 shows that (60.5%) of the female patients were not smokers and (39.5%) of them Smokers. Table 12 reveals that (51.5%) of female patients did not have previous breast biopsy and (48.5%) of them had previous breast biopsy.

Figures & Tables

Research was designed to investigate about the characteristics of patients with breast cancer attending the breast cancer center in Sudan to understand factors that lead to late diagnosis among Sudanese women.  The results demonstrated  that  the  prevalence of breast cancer  was (39%) among the age group  of 31-40. Pervious study found that breast cancer was common at the age of ≥20, and the incidence increasing rapidly between the age of 35 & 50 [1]. Regarding educational level, (24%) of female patients had secondary school education while (13%) had post university education level. Education can contribute to the patients’ awareness.

Study showed that almost half of the female patients (48%) earned   income between (0-1000SDG),this reflects the poor socio-economic status of them, as they did not have enough income for proper diagnosis and treatment [1].

Regarding the reproductive characteristics of the patients, the result indicated that, (30%) of the female didn’t have children, while 20.5% had one to two children, previous study revealed that having many children were related to risk of breast cancer [2].

The present study showed that (71%) took vitamin as a supplement while (21%) did not take it A significant reduction of vitamin supplement that used as therapy may accelerate the spreading of breast cancer [2].

The results clarified that (46.5%) of the female patients had menarche at age of (<11 year), has been mentioned in the literature early menarche can be considered as a risk factor of breast cancer [3].

The present study showed (67.5%) of the female patients were at Pre-menopause status, while (32.5%) were in post-menopause. Previous studies revealed that pre-menopausal women, who tended to have irregular menstrual cycles and greater tendencies for an ovulatory cycle, may increase the risk of breast cancer [3].

It was clarified that (31%) of the female patients were overweight (25 -29.9 Kg/ m²), while (4.5%) of them had morbid obesity (≥ 40 Kg/m²). However, the relationship between that and breast cancer is complicated [4]. The study revealed that, (60%) of female patients consumed a low fat diet and (40%) of them did not consume a low fat diet. Eating a high-fat diet may also play a role in causing breast cancer. Breast cancer is less common in countries where the typical diet is plant-based and low in total fat [5].

Regarding smoking, (60.5%) of the female patients were not smokers and (39.5%) were smokers. Previous study revealed that liquid found in breast ducts of female patients’ smokers contains high chemical substance as the result of smoking (e.g., Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are linked to breast cancer). However heavy smoking cigarettes for many years, especially if individual started smoking at young age will increase the risk of breast cancer [6].

Risk factors of breast cancer more prevalent among the age group of 31-40 years, with low socio economic status in Sudan, this factor leads to late diagnosis because the service is not for free, in addition to other factors including general economic situation of the country, lack of awareness raising programs, the service is not distributed in all states of the country and not enough even in the capital itself [7].

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

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