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Comparative Study
. 2021:43:e2021038.
doi: 10.4178/epih.e2021038. Epub 2021 May 25.

A comparison of breast cancer survival across different age groups: a multicentric database study in Penang, Malaysia

King Fang Tan  1   2 , Farzaana Adam  3 , Hasmah Hussin  4   5 , Noor Mastura Mohd Mujar  2
Affiliations
Comparative Study

A comparison of breast cancer survival across different age groups: a multicentric database study in Penang, Malaysia

King Fang Tan et al. Epidemiol Health. 2021.

Abstract

This study compared breast cancer survival and the prognostic factors across different age groups of women in Penang, Malaysia. Data on 2,166 women with breast cancer who had been diagnosed between 2010 and 2014 were extracted from the Penang Breast Cancer Registry and stratified into 3 age groups: young (< 40 years old), middle-aged (40-59 years old), and elderly (≥ 60 years). The overall and relative survival rates were calculated using the life table method, median survival time was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and comparisons between groups were conducted using the log-rank test. Prognostic factors were analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model. The 5-year overall and breast cancer-specific survival rates for women with breast cancer in Penang were 72.9% and 75.2%, with a mean survival time of 92.5 months and 95.1 months, respectively. The 5-year breast cancer-specific survival rates for young, middle-aged, and elderly women were 74.9%, 77.8%, and 71.4%, respectively, with a mean survival time of 95.7 months, 97.5 months, and 91.2 months. There was a significant difference in breast cancer survival between age groups, with elderly women showing the lowest survival rate, followed by young and middle-aged women. Disease stage was the most prominent prognostic factor for all age groups. Survival rates and prognostic factors differed according to age group. Treatment planning for breast cancer patients should be age-specific to promote better cancer care and survival.

Keywords: Age groups; Asian continental ancestry group; Breast neoplasms; Prognosis; Survival.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare for this study.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
(A) Geographical location of the Penang Cancer Registry’s population [12], (B) geographical location of Penang in Malaysia [13].
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Composition of the Penang Cancer Registry’s population demographics [14].
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
The 5-year survival rate (%) by prognostic factors. N/A, not available.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
The 5-year survival rate (%) by age groups. N/A, not available; DCIS, ductal carcinoma in situ; IDC, infiltrating ductal carcinoma; ca, carcinoma; Ther, therapy.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Kaplan-Meier plot according to all-cause death and breast cancer-specific death for (A) age groups, (B) ethnicity groups, (C) disease stage. N/A, not available. (D) histological types, (E) treatment types.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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