Câncer de mama: fatores de risco e detecção precoce

Frequency of germline genetic variants in women with a personal or family history of breast cancer from Brazil

BACKGROUND

About 5-10% of breast cancer cases are related to genetic and hereditary factors. The application of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) in oncology has allowed the identification of genetic variants present in several genes related to the increased risk of breast cancer. This study aimed to determine the frequency of germline genetic variants in patients with a family and/or personal history of breast cancer.

METHODS

An analysis of positive reports from NGS panels was carried out in female individuals with a personal and/or family history of breast cancer, present in the database of a private laboratory in Brazil.

RESULTS

From about 2000 reports, 183 individuals presented 219 different germline genetic variants. The genes with the highest number of variants were BRCA2 (16.0%), ATM (15.0%) and BRCA1 (12.8%). Among the variants found, 78 were either pathogenic or probably pathogenic, accounting for 35% of all variants discovered. The gene with the highest proportion of pathogenic/probably pathogenic variants was TP53 (80%) and the most frequent pathogenic variant was also reported in this gene (c.1010G > A p.(Arg337His)). Furthermore, the study obtained a high proportion of variants of uncertain significance (VUS) (65%) and approximately 32% of the variants found were in genes of moderate penetrance.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results could improve the risk estimation and clinical follow-up of Brazilian patients with a history of breast cancer.

The relationship of socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge of breast cancer on stage of behavioral adoption of breast self-examination

Background/aim

In Malaysia, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. As such, early diagnosis and screening practices are important to increase the survival rate. Breast self-examination (BSE) is one of the main screening methods for breast cancer. Socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge of breast cancer are amongst the crucial roles in determining women's behavioral adoption in performing BSE. This study aims to assess the relationship of socio-demographic factors and knowledge of breast cancer on the stage of behavioral adoption of BSE among Malaysian women in Kuantan, Pahang.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 520 women from three different government health clinics in Kuantan and IIUM Family Health Clinic from February to April 2018. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire on socio-demographic factors and knowledge of breast cancer and its effect on the behavioral adoption of BSE.

Results

Significant difference was found between socio-demographic characteristics and behavioral adoption of BSE. However, only breast screening and the best time for screening were found to be significant with the behavioral adoption of BSE and knowledge of breast cancer.

Conclusion

It is found that most women in Kuantan, Pahang perform BSE but were still unaware of the importance of performing BSE for early breast cancer detection. This study was expected to enhance women's awareness of the benefits of performing BSE.

Procrastination in the early detection of breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

to analyze the meaning of postponement of breast cancer detection based on interviews with 26 women who were submited to mastectomy.

METHOD

qualitative study based on Symbolic Interactionism with Content Analysis in thematic modality, carried out in a public service outpatient clinic, in a capital city of Northeastern Brazil.

RESULTS

faced with the participants' reports, the theme 'meanings attributed to procrastination of breast health care' emerged. The meaning given by women to the reasons for postponing breast care permeate the interfaces between personal reasons and difficulties found in the healthcare network.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

early detection is considered to be delayed for fear of diagnosis, personal, cultural barriers, and difficulties in health services.

Women's knowledge about risk factors of breast cancer in a Brazilian community

Knowledge about risk factors for breast cancer was identified as an important variable that affects women's avoidance behavior and their screening performance. The present study assessed women's knowledge about risk factors and associated socio-economic variables. Data from 417 women aged 20-86 years were obtained in Caicó, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. In agreement with the recognition of 26 potential risk factors and prevention behaviors, two groups with good (N = 203) and poor (N = 214) knowledge were formed, respectively. Having a close relative with cancer remained the unique significant variable in the adjusted model. Women without any close relative with cancer, were 1.54 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.036-2.288) times as likely to have poor knowledge, compared to women who had a close relative with cancer (p = 0.033). Other socio-economic variables, including income, employment status and educational level had no significant association with knowledge (p = 0.450, p = 0.914, p = 0.639, respectively). Of 417 women, 302 (72.42%), 339 (81.29%), and 309 (74.10%), respectively, did not identify "physical inactivity," "overweight after menopause," and "no breastfeeding of children" as risk factors. Knowledge could help to avoid risk factors and motivate prevention behavior. Information about risk factors should be disseminated in health campaigns.

Detection of Breast Cancer: Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Family Health Strategy Women

In rural area, control of breast cancer is related to health promotion and early diagnosis, which includes knowledge, awareness, and stimulating behavioral change, emphasizing screening for disease. The present study was developed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of rural women about early detection of breast cancer in the Primary Health Care Centre. This is a cross-sectional study in a Primary Health Care Centre with 243 rural women participating in the public health service. Data collection was made by a self-administered questionnaire which included sociodemographic characteristics, questions on breast cancer risk factors, screening, and diagnostic methods. Marks were attributed to each question and calculated for each section. Participants fell in three categories of knowledge, attitude, and practice: appropriate, regular and inappropriate. Knowledge, attitude, and practice of early detection methods were considered especially appropriate for those rural women with education and higher economic level, but inadequate responses to such methods were still significant. It is noted that there is still a significant number of rural women who do not have basic knowledge regarding early detection methods of breast cancer, contributing to the non-realization of these methods, as its advocates.

Knowledge, Beliefs, and Attitudes About Breast Cancer Screening in Latin America and the Caribbean: An In-Depth Narrative Review

Purpose Breast cancer (BCA) is the most common cancer and leading cause of cancer mortality among women in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), and the number of deaths from BCA is expected to continue to increase. Although barriers to care include the physical accessibility of screening resources, personal and cultural barriers must be explored to understand necessary next steps to increase access to preventive care. The purpose of this in-depth narrative literature review was to explore empiric literature that surrounds the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs toward BCA screening practices among women in LAC. To our knowledge, this is the first literature review to include articles from all countries and national languages (Portuguese, English, and Spanish) that pertain to this topic. Methods OVID Medline, CINAHL, and Web of Science/SciELO were used to identify articles. Thirty-five articles were included according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results Themes identified in the literature included knowledge about screening procedures and cause of cancer; knowledge sources; catalysts and deterrents for screening, such as family support, family history; social support or taboo, fear, self-neglect, cost, and transportation; and the perception of the screening experience. Conclusion In addition to physical availability of resources and health care personnel, there is a necessity for culturally competent community educational interventions across all aspects of BCA screening and prevention. In light of the barriers to preventive health care, providers such as nurses and community health workers are uniquely qualified to provide culturally appropriate and individualized health education to address cultural and psychological barriers to BCA screening.

Risk factors of breast cancer and knowledge about the disease: an integrative revision of Latin American studies

The aim of this integrative review was to compare Latin American literature about risk and knowledge on breast cancer. Of 47 studies selected, 20 were about knowledge or awareness and 27 about risk of breast cancer. English was the dominant language in studies about risk, whereas studies about knowledge were mainly written in Spanish or Portuguese. Studies about knowledge were all cross- sectional, whereas case- control studies dominated authors' interest about risk of breast cancer. Studies about knowledge were mainly focused on early detection of the disease and the most common study objective was breast self- examination (N = 14). In contrast, few studies about risk of breast cancer focused on early detection (N = 5). Obesity and overweight (N = 14), family history (N = 13), decreased parity (N = 12), and short breastfeeding duration (N = 10) were among the most frequent identified risk factors. Socio- economic factors such as income and educational level had variable effects on breast cancer risk and affected also knowledge of women about risk factors and early detection. Present results indicated that studies about risk of breast cancer were more often based on a better sound analytical background, compared to studies about knowledge, which were mostly descriptive.

Knowledge about Risk Factors for Breast Cancer and Having a Close Relative with Cancer Affect the Frequency of Breast Self-Examination Performance

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer incidence and mortality rates are increasing in North-Eastern Brazil and the patients with the disease often presented at advanced stages. The present study was focused on identifying variables that affect women's frequency of breast self- examination (BSE) performance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data on BSE, socio-economic parameters and risk factors for breast cancer were obtained from 417 women from a community in North-Eastern Brazil by a self-informant method. To identify independent variables that affect frequency of BSE, nominal logistic regression analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Of 417 women, 330 (79.3%) reported performing BSE. Compared to high-income women, BSE performance by low-income women every month was 7.69 (OD=0.130; CI 95%: 0.044- 0.0386; p=0.000) times lower. Women who did not live in a stable union performed BSE each month 2.73 (OD=0.366; CI 95%: 0.171-0.782; p=0.010) less often than those living in a stable union. BSE performance every month and every six months or every year by women with poor knowledge about risk factors for breast cancer was 3.195 (OD=0.313; CI 95%: 0.141- 0.695; p=0.004) times and 2.028 (OD=0.493; CI 95%: 0.248- 0.979; p=0.043) times lower, compared to women with good knowledge. Participants who had a close relative with cancer performed BSE every month and every six months or every year 2.132 (OD=0.469; CI 95%: 0.220-0.997; p=0.049) times and 2.337 (OD=0.428; CI 95%: 0.219-0.836; p=0.013) times less often, compared to those women without close relatives with cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicated that income, marital status, knowledge about risk factors and having a close relative with breast cancer, affect the frequency of BSE performance. Information about risk factors in public health campaigns could additionally strengthen avoidance behaviour and also motivate BSE performance.

Clinical and mammographic profile of patients with breast cancer surgically treated

OBJECTIVE

to analyze the epidemiological, clinical and mammographic profile of women with breast cancer who were treated at the mastology clinic of the University Hospital of Santa Maria and who underwent breast surgery between January 2007 and December 2012.

METHODS

this was a cross-sectional study, approved by the Ethics in Research Committee. A review of the patients' medical records was performed. The data were then exported to a software program for statistical analysis, namely Minitab 14.1.

RESULTS

the patients' profile indicated that they were mostly born and raised in Santa Maria (respectively 11.1%, n=16, and 26.3%, n=68). They were about 55.6 years old (SD ± 12.3), white (90.2%, n=213), had already given birth and breastfed their children, were nonsmokers, but also overweight (average BMI of 27 kg/m2). On physical examination of the first medical consultation, these patients, as described in the records: had a palpable mass (81.1%, n=184) measuring over three centimeters, located in the left breast, precisely in the upper outer quadrant (41.4%, n=81). Mammography (39%, n=109) showed that this lump was classified as BIRADS ® 5 (40%, n=81). On histopathological examination, the lump was diagnosed as an invasive ductal cancer (71.1%, n=191). Surgery was generally a radical mastectomy (84.7%, n=236) with axillary dissection (92.5%, n=222).

CONCLUSION

some of the epidemiological, clinical and mammographic features mentioned above resembled those found in the literature reviewed. However, these patients had advanced disease and underwent non conservative surgical procedures.

Quality of life domains affected in women with breast cancer

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the quality of life of women suffering from breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy in public and private health care systems. METHOD: It is an observational, prospective study with 64 women suffering from breast cancer. Data was collected with two instruments: Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 and Breast Cancer Module BR23. By applying Mann Whitney and Friedman's statistical tests, p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The significant results in public health care systems were: physical functions, pain symptom, body image, systemic effects and outlook for the future. In private health care systems, the results were sexual, social functions and body image. Women's quality of life was harmed by chemotherapy in both institutions. CONCLUSION: The quality of life of women has been harmed as a result of the chemotherapy treatment in both institutions, but in different domains, indicating the type of nursing care that should be provided according to the characteristics of each group.

Knowledge about breast cancer and hereditary breast cancer among nurses in a public hospital

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the knowledge of nurses involved in the care of oncology patients in a public university hospital, regarding breast cancer and hereditary breast cancer, and to verify the use of such knowledge in their daily practice.

METHODS:

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data were obtained through a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Out of 154 nurses, 137 (88.9%) agreed to participate in the study. Two questionnaires were excluded such that 135 questionnaires were analyzed.

RESULTS:

The global percentage of correct answers was not associated with age (p=0.173) or degree/specialization (p=0.815). Questions were classified into categories. In categories involving knowledge of established breast cancer risk factors and indicators of hereditary breast cancer, the rate of correct answers was 65.8% and 66.4%, respectively. On the practice of genetic counseling, 40.7% of those interviewed were not sure about the definition of genetic counseling and 78.5% reported never having identified or referred a patient at genetic risk for specialized risk assessment. Practice of educational actions regarding this subject was reported by 48.5% of those interviewed.

CONCLUSION:

This study reinforces the need to develop qualifying actions for nurses, so that strategies to control breast cancer become effective in their health care practice.