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[Identification of malignant breast lesions in Mexico]
L López-Carrillo1, L Torres-Sánchez, M López-Cervantes
1Centro de Investigación en Salud Poblacional, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública (INSP), México. lizbeth@insp3.insp.mx
Objective:
To evaluate the modes of detection of breast malignancies in Mexico City and to estimate the number of patients diagnosed in advanced stages.
Material And Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted between 1994 and 1996, among 256 women with a histological diagnosis of breast cancer, at three tertiary level public hospitals in Mexico City. Personal interviews were conducted to collect data on reproductive characteristics, clinical history, and breast cancer modes of detection. Data analysis consisted of percentages, odds ratios, and 95% confidence intervals.
Results:
Ninety percent of women sought medical care after identifying a breast lump by themselves. Only 10% of patients had a stage-I tumor; all 27 cases first identified by a physician were in stage II-B and higher.
Conclusions:
An increasing trend of breast cancer mortality in Mexico City will persist, unless a greater proportion of tumors in situ is detected; this would require enhancing breast cancer screening programs and conducting an intense educational intervention among women at risk.