The Effects of Educational Level on Breast Cancer Awareness: A Cross-Sectional Study in Turkey

Breast self-examination (BSE) is important for early diagnosis of breast cancer (BC). However, the majority of Turkish women do not perform regular BSE. We aimed to evaluate the effects of education level on the attitudes and behaviors of women towards BSE. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 413 women (20-59 years), divided into university graduates (Group I, n = 224) and high school or lower graduates (Group II, n = 189). They completed a 22-item scale assessing the knowledge level, attitudes and behaviors regarding BSE, and the Turkish version of the Champion's Revised Health Belief Model. A significantly higher number of women in Group II did not believe in early diagnosis of BC. A significantly higher number of Group I had conducted BSE at least once, and their BSE frequency was also significantly high. Moreover, a significantly lower number of Group I women considered themselves to not be at risk for BC and the scores for perceived susceptibility and perceived barriers were significantly higher. Logistic regression analysis identified the university graduate group to have a higher likelihood of performing BSE, by 1.8 times. Higher educational levels were positively associated with BSE performance. Overall, the results suggest that Turkish women, regardless of their education level, need better education on BSE. Consideration of the education level in women will help clinicians develop more effective educational programs, resulting in more regular practice and better use of BSE

Distinct Postsurgical Management in Young and Elderly Breast Cancer Patients Results in Equal Survival Rates

Background: Although breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common malignant diseases in women, the majority of the studies describing the characteristics of BC in elderly patients have been limited to survival assessments or tumor features, without using younger BC patients as a reference group. The aim of our study was to describe and compare tumor characteristics and management patterns in elderly versus younger breast cancer patients in Turkey. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 152 patients with invasive breast cancer who underwent surgery in our institution between 2002 and 2012. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to age at the time of diagnosis. Results: There were 62 patients in the elderly group (>= 65 years) and 90 patients in the younger group (0.001). There were no significant differences regarding histology, localization, lymph node involvement, or types of surgical procedures between the 2 groups. Comorbidities were more common in elderly patients (p<0.001). In addition, elderly patients were more likely to receive hormonal therapy (p<0.001) and less likely to receive radiotherapy (p=0.08) and chemotherapy (p=0.003). There was no difference in survival and locoregional recurrence rates between the groups. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that breast cancer in elderly patients has more favorable tumor features, warranting less aggressive treatment regimens after surgery

Management of Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis Diagnosed by Core Biopsy: A Retrospective Multicenter Study

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare, benign, chronic inflammatory condition of the breast, which usually mimics breast carcinoma. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical features of IGM by identifying a more reliable diagnostic protocol, and evaluating the treatment methods and patient outcomes on follow-up. We performed a retrospective analysis of 46 patients diagnosed with IGM and managed by the same surgical team between 1999 and 2011, at three high-volume hospitals. The median age of the patients was 33years. The most common symptom was painful breast mass (n=39), followed by abscess (n=11). All patients underwent ultrasonography (USG). Mammography (MG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were also performed in 20 patients (43%) and 17 patients (37%), respectively. The mean size of the lesions was 32.8 +/- 8.8mm and ranged from 15 to 50mm. Preoperative diagnosis of IGM was established by core needle biopsy (CNB) under USG guidance. Eighteen patients (39%) underwent complete excision of the lesion and 25 (54%) were treated with steroids. Three patients treated with steroids subsequently underwent local excision. The mean follow-up period was 35.4 +/- 30.9months. Eight patients (17%) developed disease recurrence; three of these were successfully treated with steroids, one with surgery, and four with both steroids and surgery. CNB in conjunction with high diagnostic accuracy has a significant role in distinctive diagnosis of IGM and hence, is useful for treatment planning. Treatment can be designated according to the extent and the severity of the disease, and the patient's general health and treatment preferences. Patients with IGM must be closely followed up due to the frequency of disease recurrence

Is the thymidine labeling index a good prognostic marker in breast cancer?

Abstract Background The aim of the present study was to determine the prognostic relevance of thymidine labeling index (TLI) in patients with breast cancer. Methods TLI of the primary tumor was measured in 268 patients at the time of the surgical biopsy by an in vitro method. Results Fifty-four patients had stage I disease, and 138 patients had stage II disease, and 76 patients had stage III disease. One hundred-four patients were found to have low TLI-index ( Conclusion Our findings suggest that the prognostic significance of TLI appears to be limited to early breast cancer that might help to distinguish patients who need more aggressive adjuvant treatment.</p