Introduction:

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor and the leading cause of cancer death in women in Uruguay and worldwide. Epidemiological evidence suggests that breast cancer in different age groups behaves as distinct pathologies. The objective of this work is to characterize breast cancer in Uruguay for different age groups.

Method:

Temporal trends in the incidence of breast cancer in women in Uruguay are analyzed for the period 2002-2019, along with mortality trends for this cause from 1990 to 2020. For the five-year period 2015-2019, the distribution of stages at diagnosis and biological profiles (Luminal, Triple-negative, and Her2 positive) is also analyzed. Three age segments are analyzed: women aged 20 to 44 years, 45 to 69 years, and 70 years and older.

Results:

The incidence rates for all age groups remained stable during the period 2002-2019, while mortality showed a decreasing trend in the period 1990-2020. In women under 45, there is an increase in incidence, with mortality decreasing until 2010, followed by a stabilization of rates; in women aged 45 to 69, incidence remains stable and mortality decreases; in those over 70, incidence decreases while mortality remains stable. More than 70% of cases are diagnosed at stages I and II. Luminal tumors (hormone receptor positive, Her2 negative) are the most frequent subtype for all age groups. The proportion of tumors with these characteristics increases with age, while the proportion of Her2 positive and triple-negative tumors decreases.

Conclusions:

In Uruguayan women, breast cancer presents differential characteristics for the three age groups analyzed.

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