Prevalence of breast cancer in women with breast complaints. Retrospective analysis in a population of symptomatic patients

The aim of the present study was to analyze whether any correlation exists between breast complaints and the risk of having or developing breast cancer (BC) in a population of self-selected women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of 2,561 patients was reviewed. Three age-groups were sorted out: Group A (40 years old or younger, 45.9%), Group B (41-55 years, 27.8%), and Group C (> 55 years, 26.3%). Breast pain was most common (61.0%) in Group A, and breast lump in Group C (87.8%). RESULTS: BC was found in 271 (10.6%) patients. Breast pain was more frequent in patients without cancer with respect to patients with BC, both in Group B (45.8% vs. 27.9%; p = 0.039) and in Group C (9.2% vs. 1.7%; p = 0.003), but no correlation (p = NS) between BC and breast lump or nipple discharge was found in any Group. Over a median follow-up of 74 months (range 23-146 months). BC arose in 10 (0.44%) patients. CONCLUSION: The majority of the women with breast complaints did not have BC, and their risk of cancer onset was not dissimilar to that reported for the general population.