Patterns and stages of breast cancer in Northern Kerala, India; Results based on 2016 Hospital-Based Cancer Registry of a Tertiary Cancer Center

ABSTRACT Background: Breast cancer is leading globally in 2020, with mortality being a concern in developing countries. Cancer registration can help in studying systematically collected data about breast cancer. The aim of this study is (1) to describe demographic aspects, stage at diagnosis, histological types, and treatment availed by evaluating the 2016 Hospital-Based Cancer Registry (HBCR) of a Tertiary Cancer Centre (TCC), (2) to study the relationship between sociodemographic factors, the stage of the disease, the time between diagnosis and registration at TCC and the treatment status. Methodology: The data of all breast cancer patients who registered at the institution in 2016 was included in the study. The variables in the HBCR core form were used as a baseline for collecting data from hospital records. Results: The number of patients registered in 2016 was 534. The mean age was 53.8 (SD 53.8 ± 12.11). Majority (59.2%) presented in the early stages. Seventy-two percent were from rural areas, and 59.5% had a middle school education and above. Our study found a significant association between education status, the stage of disease, and treatment status. Conclusion: Education level plays an important role in early presentation and treatment completion. Registry data analysis can be used as a guideline for understanding patterns and for formulating cancer control activities in the state.