Demographic and Clinical Profiles of Patients with Breast Cancer in the Jazan Region: A Descriptive Analysis

Abstract

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. Despite the availability of national data, research on the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with breast cancer in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia is limited. This study aimed to address this gap by analyzing local patient profiles and treatment patterns. A retrospective review of 98 patients with breast cancer who were treated in Jazan was conducted. Key demographic, clinical, and treatment data were collected, including information regarding disease stage at diagnosis, detection method, and treatment modality. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Factor analysis was used to explore treatment patterns, and logistic regression was used to examine the factors associated with mastectomy. Results: The mean age of the patients was 50.18 ± 13.03 years; most patients were Saudi (76.6%), married (59.2%), and housewives (85.7%). Comorbidities were present in 46.9% of the patients. The left breast was affected in 56.8% of the patients. Only 16.3% of the cancers were detected through screening; the remaining cases were identified symptomatically. Stages 2a (18.2%) and 4 were the most common. Mastectomy was performed in 51% of the patients, followed by chemotherapy (63.3%) and hormone therapy (43.9%). Two dominant treatment clusters emerged: one centered on mastectomy and chemotherapy and the other on breast-conserving surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy. No significant predictors of mastectomy were identified in this study. Most cases of breast cancer in Jazan were diagnosed in the late stages, with low screening uptake and a high reliance on mastectomy. The predominance of non-working women among these patients challenges assumptions linking occupational exposure to the risk of breast cancer. These findings underscore the need for targeted awareness campaigns, improved screening access, and further research on the risk factors and treatment outcomes in the region.