Five year survival of women with breast cancer in Ardabil, north-west of Iran.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and the major cause of cancer deaths in women 20-59 years old. The present retrospective study was undertaken to examine survival in all newly diagnosed breast cancer in Iran. One hundred and sixty-one breast cancer registered patients in 2003 were included in the study and followed up for 5-years from cancer diagnosis. Data were analyzed using life tables and Kaplan Meier for estimating relative survival rates and Cox's proportional hazard model to investigate the interaction between variables. The mean age of the patients at diagnosis was 45.5 (SD=12.3), ranging from 19 to 86 years. Of all patients 90 (56%) were alive and 71 (44%) were dead after five years. Using life table analysis, the overall relative 5-year survival rate was found to be 51% (SE=0.05). Using Cox regression model analysis variables such as age, surgery, location and drug therapy significantly influenced survival. According to the results, the overall 5-year survival rate in Ardebil province was lower than other places of Iran and most countries in the world and needs to be improved. Also, results showed that breast cancer screening programs, awareness regarding early detection of breast cancer and education of health care providers are necessary.