Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of General Surgery

Background: Breast cancer is the most common female cancer in Cairo, Egypt, with the incidence increasing in the past two decades, also in young women. However, there are limited data regarding the burden of disease, its epidemiology and histopathological characteristics in the state, in this age group. Patients and Methods: This retrospective study covered 120 Females evaluated during the period between 2012 & 2014 in the department of Surgery & Medical Oncology, kasralainy medical school hospitals, Cairo, Egypt. Results: All cases were less than 40 years old. Infiltrating ductal carcinoma was the most common subtype, followed by lobular carcinoma. Of the cases, 67.5% had more than or equal 3 children and 27.5% had fewer than 3 children. A significant proportion (22.5%) had family history of breast cancer. Conclusions: Breast cancer awareness, better availability of screening techniques and identification and targeting high risk groups all help to tackle the increasing load of breast carcinoma. A good proportion of cases comprised the young breast cancer group (under 40). Younger women should thus also be educated about breast carcinoma-risk factors, symptoms and diagnostic techniques to help in early detection and effective approach of treatment

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