Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Females with Breast Cancer in Iraq with Respect to Age: A Single-Center Study

Abstract

Abstract Background Breast cancer is a growing concern in Iraq, posing significant health challenges for Iraqi women. The objective of this study was to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics associated with breast cancer among Iraqi women, with a specific focus on age-related differences. Materials and Methods Medical records of 500 female patients diagnosed with breast cancer between 2017 and 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic information, clinical history, presentation details, treatment modalities, and outcomes were collected and analyzed. Results Among the studied cohort, 62.4% of breast cancer cases were diagnosed in women aged 50 and older. Marital status correlated significantly with age, with 89.9% of those diagnosed before 50 being married compared to 74.7% of those diagnosed after 50. Notably, 48% of patients diagnosed before 50 had breastfeeding duration of 1–3 months, contrasting with 28.5% of those diagnosed after 50. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, heart disease, and vitamin D deficiency were significantly more prevalent among patients diagnosed after 50. Clinical presentation revealed 67.8% with tumor stage II. Metastasis to lymph nodes occurred in approximately 50% of patients. Among patients who were diagnosed after 50 years of age, 34% had metastasis, compared to 22.9% of those diagnosed before the age of 50. Mortality rates were higher in patients diagnosed after 50 (23%) compared to those under 50 (12.8%). Conclusion The findings emphasize the need for targeted public health campaigns, early detection initiatives, and treatment optimization to improve patient outcomes and mitigate the burden of breast cancer.