Breast Cancer Patterns in Saudi Arabia (2007-2022): A Nationwide Cancer Registry Surveillance Study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Population-based cancer registries are crucial for understanding breast cancer burden and informing control strategies.
• Limited national surveillance data from Saudi Arabia necessitates comprehensive analysis of breast cancer trends.
• The Saudi Cancer Registry (SCR) provides a valuable resource for studying breast cancer epidemiology in the region.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the demographic, geographic, and clinical characteristics of breast cancer cases in Saudi women.
• To analyze trends in breast cancer incidence rates from 2007 to 2022.
• To identify regional disparities and stage at diagnosis for breast cancer in Saudi Arabia.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective descriptive study utilizing data from the Saudi Cancer Registry (SCR) from 2007 to 2022.
• Inclusion of 40,755 Saudi female breast cancer cases, with variables coded according to SEER guidelines.
• Statistical analysis performed using STATA 16 to examine incidence rates, histology, stage, and geographic distribution.

Main Results:

• The average age at diagnosis was 51.85 years, with the highest case volumes in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province.
• The age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) increased from 18.2 to 49.7 per 100,000 women between 2007 and 2022.
• Invasive ductal carcinoma was the most common histology (76.7%), with a significant proportion of diagnoses at regional (36.5%) or distant (14.2%) stages, varying by age and region.

Conclusions:

• National cancer registry data reveal significant regional differences in breast cancer incidence across Saudi Arabia.
• A persistent proportion of late-stage breast cancer diagnoses underscores challenges in early detection.
• Findings emphasize the need for tailored early detection programs and region-specific cancer control strategies to mitigate breast cancer burden.