Medical researchers are urging young women in Bahrain with a family history of breast cancer to get genetically tested and explore preventative surgery options, according to a recently published study.
In Bahrain, women under the age of 55 and those with a family history of cancer were much more likely to develop breast cancer than their peers in the US or other Western countries, according to the ‘Updated Key Determinants of Breast Cancer Risk in Bahrain: A Comprehensive Analysis’ research paper published in the Bahrain Medical Bulletin.
“Breast cancer is the most common cancer, and the second leading cause of death in women globally,” researchers noted in the abstract of the study.
“In Bahrain, female age-standardised cancer incidence is the third highest (137.4 per 100,000 people) in the Arabian Gulf.”
The study was conducted by a group of doctors and researchers in Bahrain from Dr Suhair Al Saad Medical Centre and Arabian Gulf University, including Kameela Majed, Suhair Al Saad, Fatima Al Shenawi and Hamdi Al Shinawi.
The study took a closer look at 226 patients whose breast cancer relapsed, between August 1999 and August 2020.
“The three common cancers in Bahraini females are breast (58.5 per 100,000 people), followed by colorectal (12.4 per 100,000 people), and uterine (8.2 per 100,000 people) cancers,” the study noted.
“Most cancers are related to lifestyle, genetic predispositions, and environmental factors.
“Breast cancer awareness campaigns are crucial for early detection and better outcomes. Lifestyle modifications also play an important role in cancer prevention.
“Advanced-stage diagnosis is still seen, so more community awareness efforts are needed.”
The study noted that with the increase in awareness about breast cancer, women are increasingly attending screening, mainly through health workers in primary care.
“Our results showed that the highest age category of females who developed breast cancer was 46 to 55 years old (37.2 per cent), followed by 35 to 45 years old (27pc), more than 55 years old (26.5pc), and less than 35 years old (9.3pc).
“In one of our previous studies, the risk factors were examined in 105 breast cancer patients. The study concluded that almost 70pc of the patients were 55 years old or younger at presentation.”
Positive family history for cancer amongst patients was also found to be significantly high (34.8pc), compared to international figures hovering around five to 10pc.
“Although familial breast cancer showed that it is common in Bahrain, more studies are required to support and understand the reason for developing breast cancer at an early age,” researchers clarified.
“More studies on other factors in the kingdom are needed. We would recommend that strict breast screening programmes in Bahrain start at the age of 40 and in positive families at an earlier age.
“We would also encourage high-risk women, especially first-degree relatives of patients with breast cancer, to perform genetic testing and consider prophylactic surgeries.” Prophylactic surgery, or risk-reducing surgery, involves removing tissue or organs to prevent cancer development in high-risk individuals. It is performed on healthy tissue, most commonly for breast, ovarian, or colon cancers, when genetic testing or family history indicates a high probability of developing cancer.
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