STUDY ON SURVIVAL OF BREAST CANCER PATIENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS OF DIBRUGARH DISTRICT OF ASSAM, INDIA

Abstract

Background: The survival rate for breast cancer patients in India remains poor compared to Western countries, primarily due to early onset, late diagnosis and delayed treatment. In Dibrugarh district of Assam, India, breast cancer is more prevalent among younger women, with 64.9% of cases, affecting women below 50 years of age according to ICMR cancer registry. Furthermore, very limited data from this region hinders a comprehensive understanding of the disease's burden and trends in this region.
Objectives: To investigate the survival rates of breast cancer patients in Dibrugarh, Assam India and determine the socio-demographic, lifestyle and other factors that influence survival, with a view to identifying key predictors and covariates that associates breast cancer survival in this region.
Materials and Method: A retrospective cohort study was conducted from 2017 to 2022 in a tertiary care centre in Dibrugarh, Assam for 210 breast cancer cases. The data were analysed using Kaplan Meier survival plot(s) for survival rates, Log- Rank test to compare the survival times for different levels of the risk factors and impact of risk factors on the time to death due to breast cancer was analysed using Cox proportional hazard model.
Results: The average age at diagnosis of breast cancer was 45.5 years. The Overall 5-year survival rate of breast cancer patients was 38%. The study signifies the socio-demographic, lifestyle and other factors influencing survival viz. educational status, onset age of breast cancer, BMI, cancer stage, breastfeeding and family history. The survival rates vary significantly with the age at diagnosis, early-stage detection showing a substantially better survival rate compared to late-stage diagnosis. The Cox’s proportional Hazard model inferred an overall significant relationship between these set of covariates and survival time.
Discussion and conclusion: The study identified socio-demographic and other factors such as educational status, age at diagnosis, BMI, cancer stage, breastfeeding and family history that influence survival rates. These findings highlight the need for increased awareness and early detection of breast cancer in India. Regular breast self-examination, clinical breast examination, and mammography can help detect breast cancer at an early stage, improving treatment outcomes and survival rates. It is essential to address the socio-demographic and lifestyle factors that influence breast cancer survival patterns in India.