Breast Cancer Research in the Caribbean: Analysis of Reports From 1975 to 2017

Abstract

Purpose: Breast cancer is among the leading causes of death resulting from cancer in Caribbean women. Studies examining exogenous and genetically predetermined endogenous risk factors are critical to define breast cancer susceptibility in Caribbean women. The purpose of this systematic review is to assess the existing scientific literature in the last 42 years (1975 to 2017) to describe the body of research generated for the population of this region and determine future research directions.

Methods: We selected published research articles using a combination of definite keyword searches in PubMed. Only articles presenting the Caribbean population as the focus of their research objectives were included in this analysis.

Results: Studies on breast cancer in the Caribbean are limited. A majority of publications on Caribbean populations were descriptive, focusing on cancer trends and clinicopathologic factors. High incidence and mortality rates for breast cancer are reported for the region, and there seem to be some differences between countries in the frequency of cases according to age at presentation. A limited number of epidemiologic, behavioral, and genetic and molecular studies were conducted in more recent years.

Conclusion: A regional strategy for cancer registration is needed for the Caribbean to address possible underestimates of breast cancer incidence. Furthermore, behavioral, molecular, genetic, and epidemiologic investigations of breast cancer are critical to address the concerns related to currently described high incidence and mortality rates in the Caribbean.

Fig 1

Flow diagram of study selection criteria.

Fig 2

Age-standardized incidence (bars) and mortality rates (circles) of breast cancer per 100,000 per year for individual Caribbean countries, the world, and US and other Latin American countries. Data adapted. ASR(W), rate age standardized to the world population.

Fig 3

Distribution of breast cancer publications by research focus over time: 1975 to 2017.

Fig 4

Distribution of studies according to country. NOS, not otherwise specified.