Epidemiology of Breast Cancer among Bahraini Women: Data from the Bahrain Cancer Registry

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of breast cancer among the Bahraini female population in the years 2000-2010 and examine its health policy implications. Methods: All breast cancer cases in the Bahrain Cancer Registry from 1^st January 2000 to 31^st December 2010 were included. Results: There were 1,005 cases, 12.7% of which were detected by screening. The overall mean age at diagnosis was 50.9 years (95% confidence interval 50.1-51.6). The age-standardised incidence rate declined from 58.2 per 100,000 in 2000 to 44.4 per 100,000 in 2010. The majority of cases were infiltrating ductal carcinoma (76.9%). Of the registered cases, 44.1% and 48.1% had an unknown grade and stage, respectively. The five-year survival rate was 63 ± 2%. Conclusion: The low percentage of cases detected by screening merits further evaluation of Bahrain s screening programme. More effort should be made to reduce the proportion of unknown stage and grade breast cancers. Future research has to be directed towards understanding the reasons for Bahrain having the highest incidence rate of breast cancer in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.