Hospital-Based Evaluation of Breast Cancer Incidence in Kabul, Afghanistan

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer, a prevalent and metastatic disease characterized by abnormal cell growth in breast ducts, constitutes 25% of global invasive cancer cases, impacting one in eight women. In 2020, there were 2.3 million new cases and 685,000 deaths attributed to breast cancer, with higher rates in developed countries and increasing global incidence.

Method: A retrospective case series was conducted on 1,147 breast cancer patients treated at Jamhuriat Hospital, Afghanistan between 2021 and 2022. Data on demographics, tumor type, laterality, marital status, residence, and socioeconomic status were extracted from medical records. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, with significance set at P<0.05.

Results: Invasive ductal carcinoma was the most frequently diagnosed type (77.5%). The overall mortality rate among patients was approximately 1.05%. Among women, breast cancer was more often found in the left breast, while in men, cases were evenly distributed. The largest age group was 31–45 yr (44%), and women represented 97% of all cases. Statistical analysis showed no significant association between marital status and cancer type (P=0.27). However, significant associations were observed between cancer type and both residential location (P<0.05) and socioeconomic status (P=0.04).

Conclusion: This study highlights the predominance of invasive ductal carcinoma among breast cancer cases at a major Afghan hospital and reveals significant associations between cancer type and both socioeconomic status and geographic location. These findings emphasize the need for enhanced awareness, early detection efforts, and equitable healthcare access, particularly for underserved groups in Afghanistan.