Abstract PS5-05-21: Breast Cancer in Syria: An Epidemiological Analysis from the Country’s Main Cancer Center

Abstract Background Epidemiological data on breast cancer in conflict-affected regions such as Syria are severely limited. Our study aims to fill in the gap in data by evaluating the demographics of Syrian breast cancer patients over a three-year period. Methods This is a retrospective epidemiological study conducted at Al-Bairouni University Hospital - Syria’s national cancer center serving 60-70% of the country’s cancer patients. We included all patients diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) between January 2022 and December 2024. Data extracted from hospital records included sex, age at diagnosis, cancer stage, smoking status, and the governorate of residence. Patients were grouped by disease group and year to assess annual trends. Institutional ethical approval was obtained to perform the study. Results A total of 5630 were diagnosed with breast cancer during the study period: 1513 in 2022, 1964 in 2023, and 2153 in 2024 (Table 1). Across all years, a consistent female predominance was observed (99.3%). The average age at diagnosis was 50.5 years, 20.75% of patients were smokers, and 59.02%. had advanced/metastatic disease at diagnosis. IDC (4912) was the most common breast cancer. The highest patient loads originated from Damascus (16.1%) and Rural Damascus (17.1%), followed by central governorates such as Homs (10.78%) and Hama (9.15%). Notably, patients from underserved governorates such as Deir ez-Zor (6.47%), Aleppo (8.76%), and Al-Hasakeh (6.77%) represented a significant proportion of the cohort. Conclusions To our knowledge, this study provides the first comprehensive multi-year dataset of breast cancer in Syria, with representation from all 14 governorates in the country. More than 20% of our cohort were smokers, and nearly 59%. were diagnosed with advanced disease, demonstrating a need for public health efforts to improve screening & early detection methods. This dataset offers a foundation for future public health planning and research efforts in the region. Citation Format: A. Al-Bitar, F. Al-Jojo, A. Kouli, R. Al-Khouli, R. Al-Ahmad. Breast Cancer in Syria: An Epidemiological Analysis from the Country’s Main Cancer Center [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2025; 2025 Dec 9-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2026;32(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS5-05-21.