Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 24, 2025
Integrating Augmented Reality Tools in Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema Prognostication and Diagnosis
Published on: February 6, 2020
Demographic Characteristics of Patients with Breast Cancer in Bangladesh: A Single-Centre Study
F A Chowdhury1, M F Islam, M K Arefin
1Dr Fatama Akter Chowdhury, Assistant Registrar, Department of Burn and Plastic, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh;
Insights
Breast cancer in Bangladesh predominantly affects pre-menopausal women aged 40-50, who are often educated, urban housewives from middle-income backgrounds. These socio-demographic factors differ significantly from those observed in Western countries.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Breast cancer presents unique socio-demographic profiles globally.
- Understanding these factors in specific populations, like Bangladesh, is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Previous research indicates disparities between Western and Asian breast cancer patient demographics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the socio-demographic characteristics of breast cancer patients in Bangladesh.
- To compare these findings with established patterns in Western countries.
- To identify potential risk factors and inform public health strategies.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- Data was collected from 50 consecutive breast carcinoma patients from July 2018 to September 2019.
- Socio-demographic information including age, occupation, residence, education, religion, family history, menopausal status, and socio-economic class was recorded.
Main Results:
- The mean age of patients was 51.1 years, with 70% in the 4th to 5th decade.
- A majority (70%) were housewives, 78% lived in urban areas, and 80% were educated.
- Most patients (86%) were Muslim, 94% had no family history, 82% were pre-menopausal, and 90% belonged to the middle socio-economic class.
Conclusions:
- Breast cancer in Bangladesh disproportionately affects younger, pre-menopausal women compared to Western populations.
- Educated, urban, Muslim housewives from middle-income families represent the most affected demographic.
- The socio-demographic profile of Bangladeshi breast cancer patients diverges significantly from Western cohorts, necessitating tailored healthcare approaches.
Abstract:
We performed this study to investigate the socio-demographic factors of breast cancer patients of Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2018 to September 2019 for a period of one (1) year. All consecutive cases of breast carcinoma admitted in hospital and attended at outpatient department during the study period were selected as study population. Total 50 patients were selected. The mean age of the study patients was 51.1. Maximum number (70.0% cases) of breast cancer was belonged in 4th to 5th decade aged group. 70.0% breast cancer patients were housewives. The most of the breast carcinoma was reported in the urban people which were 78.0% cases. The percentage of educated study population was 80.0%. On religious background, 86.0% cases of breast cancer patients were Muslim. Most of breast cancer patients were sporadic in origin 94.0% cases, had no family history of breast cancer. Breast cancer was mostly distributed in pre-menopausal aged group with 82.0% cases. Ninety percent (90.0%) of the study population was come from middle class socio-economic group. In western countries, incidence of breast cancer is more in elderly aged menopause women with high socio-economic class. In this study the breast carcinoma was most prevalent among educated urban Muslim pre-menopausal housewives of age group 4th to 5th decade and most of them belonged to middle socio-economic class. The socio-demographic factors of breast cancer patients in Bangladesh are disparate from western countries in age standard, social class group and menstrual status.
