Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice

A comparative study of pre- and post‑menopausal breast cancer: Risk factors, presentation, characteristics and management

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Aruna Surakasula 1
. Govardhana Chary Nagarjunapu 2
. K. V. Raghavaiah 3

1 Department of Pharmacy Practice, GIET School of Pharmacy, East Godavari, India

2 Department of Pharmacy Practice, St. Peter’s Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Warangal, India

3 Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Ann’s Hospital, Warangal, India

Abstract
Objective: Breast cancer is the most common female cancer worldwide and is the second 
most commonly diagnosed cancer in Indian women. This study evaluates the differences 
between pre‑ and post‑menopausal breast cancer women regarding risk factors, nature of 
disease presentation, tumor characteristics, and management.
Methods: This is a prospective observational study, conducted in the Oncology Department 
of St. Ann’s Cancer Hospital, for a period of 6 months from January to August 2012. Data 
on basic demography, clinical and pathological tumor profile, and treatment details were 
collected prospectively for each patient based on patient interviews and medical records.
Findings: Among 100 female patients taken up for the study, 48 were premenopausal and 
52 had reached menopause. The mean age of presentation for breast carcinoma was a 
decade earlier in these patients compared with western patients. The risk factors for both 
pre‑and post‑menopausal breast cancer were found similar other than late menopause in 
postmenopausal patients. Having dense breast tissue was a predominant risk factor among all 
women. Late presentation was the common phenomenon in almost all patients. The treatment 
given was not based on any standard guidelines due to inadequate public health policies.
Conclusion: Late stage at presentation of breast cancer is the main problem and possesses 
a challenge to the health care community. In order to reduce the burden of breast cancer, 
a multi‑sectorial approach and evidence‑based strategies aiming at early detection and 
effective management of the disease are required.

Keywords

Breast cancer
diagnosis
epidemiology
Indian women
postmenopausal
  premenopausal
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Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice
Volume 3, Issue 1
Winter 2014
Pages 12-18

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