De Lima Heliodora, Ramos Sofia, Rajkumar Leisha, Cubasch Herbert
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
SA J Radiol. 2025 May 31;29(1):3117. doi: 10.4102/sajr.v29i1.3117. eCollection 2025.
Some clinicians and radiologists in South Africa (SA) suspect that aggressive subtypes of breast cancer are becoming more prevalent and that patients are presenting at younger ages.
This study aimed to analyse the prevalence and trends in female breast cancer presentations at a Breast Unit in Johannesburg, SA, by comparing data from 2012 and 2022.
A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Johannesburg. Records of female patients diagnosed with breast cancer between 2012 and 2022 were analysed. Demographic data, ultrasound or mammography findings, and tumour characteristics were compared.
A total of 493 records were reviewed: 165 (33.5%) from 2012 and 328 (66.5%) from 2022. The mean ± standard deviation (s.d.) age at presentation was 56.8 ± 16.8 years in 2012 and 54.1 ± 13.6 years in 2022 ( = 0.056). Tumours were smaller in 2022 (mean ± s.d., 35.0 mm ± 24.0 mm) compared to 2012 (48.1 mm ± 21.5 mm) ( < 0.001). A higher proportion of women had positive oestrogen receptor status in 2022 ( = 0.005). No differences were observed in molecular subtypes.
No significant change was found in the mean age at presentation, suggesting a stable demographic profile. However, reproductive, hormonal, and lifestyle factors may contribute to the rising prevalence among women aged 40-49 years. Smaller tumours likely reflect increased awareness and clinical breast examinations at local clinics.
This single-institution study underscores the need for broader national research to inform breast cancer screening and imaging guidelines.
南非的一些临床医生和放射科医生怀疑，侵袭性乳腺癌亚型正变得越来越普遍，且患者就诊年龄越来越小。
本研究旨在通过比较2012年和2022年的数据，分析南非约翰内斯堡一家乳腺科女性乳腺癌就诊情况的患病率及趋势。
在约翰内斯堡的一家三级医院进行了一项回顾性研究。分析了2012年至2022年期间诊断为乳腺癌的女性患者记录。比较了人口统计学数据、超声或乳腺X线摄影检查结果以及肿瘤特征。
共审查了493份记录：2012年的有165份（33.5%），2022年的有328份（66.5%）。2012年就诊时的平均年龄±标准差为56.8±16.8岁，2022年为54.1±13.6岁（P = 0.056）。与2012年（48.1 mm±21.5 mm）相比，2022年的肿瘤更小（平均±标准差，35.0 mm±24.0 mm）（P < 0.001）。2022年雌激素受体状态为阳性的女性比例更高（P = 0.005）。分子亚型方面未观察到差异。
就诊时的平均年龄未发现显著变化表明人口统计学特征稳定。然而，生殖、激素和生活方式因素可能导致40 - 49岁女性患病率上升。较小的肿瘤可能反映出当地诊所意识提高和临床乳腺检查增加。
这项单机构研究强调了开展更广泛的全国性研究以指导乳腺癌筛查和影像学指南的必要性。
