Breast Cancer Characteristics in Young Women Under 50 Years Old in Mankweng Hospital, South Africa

Background: Breast cancer is a diverse disorder, commonly occurs in elderly women in Europe and America. However, in Africa, it happens often among younger women. Main aim of the study is to have better understand the characteristics of breast cancer in women under 50 years and to identify any differences exist between HIV positive and negative groups of breast cancer patients. Method: Retrospective descriptive quantitative study intended to analyse the profile of women under 50 years old with breast cancers who attended Breast Oncology Clinic, Mankweng Hospital from July 2020 to December 2021. Results: Total 109 breast cancer patients evaluated. Mean age in HIV negative 40.6 and HIV positive 39 years. HIV status: HIV Positive 28(25.7%). HIV Negative 81(74.3%). HIV positive group: Molecular subtype: Luminal A:5(24%), Luminal B:8(38%), HER2+ overexpression:3(14%), Triple negative:5(24%). Stage: Early stage 6(21%), late stage 22(79%). HIV negative group: Molecular subtype: Luminal A:16(22%), Luminal B:41(58%), HER2+ overexpression:7(10%), Triple negative:7(10%). Stage: Early stage 16(20%), late stage 65(80%). Conclusion: Majority of breast cancer patients presented in advance stage in both HIV positive and negative group. Mean age of HIV positive slightly younger than HIV negative (39-year vs 40.6 years). Triple negative molecular subtype was proportionately more in HIV-positive group in compared to HIV-negative patients. Initiative of Routine breast cancer screening should take place on this population of women under 40-year age.