Aims: This study investigated the expression patterns of five crucial genes BRCA1, PALB2, CDK1, CDH1, and CHEK2 across breast cancer subtypes using Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). Study Design: A quantitative research design based on MANOVA was employed using gene expression data from 1,139 breast cancer patients representing multiple subtypes. Place and Duration of Study: The study utilized secondary genomic data obtained from publicly available breast cancer databases and was conducted over a six-month period. Methodology: Preliminary diagnostic tests assessed normality, multicollinearity, and multivariate outliers. Shapiro–Wilk tests indicated approximate normality, VIF values below 5 confirmed the absence of multicollinearity, and Mahalanobis distance showed no significant outliers (12.68 < 20.515). Although Levene’s and Box’s M tests indicated heterogeneity of variances and covariance matrices (p < 0.001), Pillai’s trace was adopted due to its robustness. Univariate analyses and Scheffe post hoc tests were subsequently conducted. Results: MANOVA revealed a highly significant overall effect of breast cancer subtype on combined gene expression profiles (Pillai’s Trace = 0.525, F = 48.09, p < 0.001, observed power = 1.000). BRCA1, CDK1, CDH1, and CHEK2 significantly discriminated subtypes (p < 0.001), while PALB2 showed marginal significance (p = 0.003). Luminal A and HER2 demonstrated the strongest gene-specific effects, whereas Luminal B showed the least differentiation. Conclusion: The findings confirm distinct subtype-specific gene expression patterns and demonstrate the effectiveness of MANOVA for genomic studies, highlighting its relevance for precision oncology and targeted breast cancer management. Read more

One of a cell's behavioral characteristics is migration. Cell migration is a major contributor to cancer-related mortality and plays a significant role in the spread of metastatic tumors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the invasive characteristics and migration traits of acquired gemcitabine-resistant BT 549 Gem100nM breast cancer cell lines. According to data from the results obtained, the resistant cell lines Clones 1 and 4 exhibited higher migratory and invasive activities than the wild-type cell line BT549. This suggests that acquired resistance may cause cancer cells to become more lethal by increasing their migratory and invasive characteristics. Read more

In this study, we modeled the survival time of breast cancer patients in Nigeria using five survival models, namely the Cox model, the exponential model, the lognormal model, the logistic model, and the Weibull model. The Akaike information criterion (AIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC) were used as performance metrics for the selection of the best-fit model. The Cox proportional hazard (CPH) model was the best model for the cancer data. We also noted that the median patient survival time was 295 days. The Kaplan-Meier test was used to compare the survival curves. The CPH model was used to model the data. We observed that the neoadjuvant therapy covariate had a significant effect on the survival time of the breast cancer patients (p &lt; 0.05). This suggests that it has a considerable impact on Nigerian breast cancer patients&#039; survival rates. This study could result in more efficient cancer treatments and has substantial implications for the management and care of breast cancer patients in Nigeria. It further extends the work of Awodutire et al. (2017). Read more

Introduction: Fetal microchimerism is a frequent phenomenon occurring in all human pregnancies, which allows the transfer of fetal cells of various phenotypes to the mother. Recent data suggest an association between pregnancy, microchimerism, and cancer. A pregnancy history has been identified as a consistent protective factor against breast cancer. Thus, it is conceivable that undefined characteristics of previous pregnancies could explain why some women with positive parity have a reduced risk of breast cancer while others do not. In this context, we undertook this study to evaluate the relationship between fetal microchimerism and female breast cancers through a literature review. Materials and Methods: To meet this objective, namely, to evaluate the relationship between fetal microchimerism and female breast cancer, a literature review was performed using mainly a bibliographic data search engine (Pubmed). Results and Discussion: This study found microchimerism more in healthy women than women with breast cancer, with a statistically significant difference. These results suggest that microchimeric cells may reduce the risk of breast cancer in women. This protective effect may be explained by the differentiation and tissue regeneration properties associated with the immunoregulatory properties of fetal microchimeric stem cells. However, the correlation is not linear. Conclusion: In this study, our results indicate that microchemical cells may help reduce the risk of breast cancer in women. Good knowledge of the mechanisms of these microchemical stem cells could potentially serve as an innovative therapeutic approach for breast cancer patients. Read more

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer globally and in Nigeria, it constitutes about 12% of all new cancers and 25% of all cancers in women. In Nigeria, the majority of patients present with late disease and globally, advanced breast cancer is associated with a low survival rate among patients. This study seeks to review the presentation of advanced breast cancer as seen in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Southern Nigeria. Patients and Methods: This is a 5-year retrospective study conducted at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Records of patients that presented to the hospital within the study period with histologically proven breast cancer (stages 3 and 4) were retrieved, and relevant data extracted and analysed using SPSS version 22. Results: There were 47 patients with advanced breast cancer and they were all females. Their ages ranged from 25 to 72 years with a mean of 43.9 ± 4.7 and peak age of 31–50 years. Majority of the patients (72.3%) had stage 3 disease while 13 (27.7%) of them had stage 4. The lung was the commonest metastatic site and this was seen in 7 (14.9%) patients, followed by the liver in 1 (2.1%). Conclusion: Advanced breast cancer remains a dreaded disease that reduces patients’ quality of life significantly and may also be rapidly fatal. Community-based efforts in collaboration with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) targeted at information dissemination to the public, and offering breast cancer screening and subsidized cancer treatment are essential to reduce the mortality associated with this deadly disease. Read more

This study investigated how socio-demographic correlates to breast cancer’s preventive behaviour among women in Rivers East Senatorial District. The descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted for the study. The study population consisted of all 545,056 women in Rivers East Senatorial District with a sample size of 1,200 women determined using the Taro Yamane’s formula and selected using the multistage sampling procedure. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.71 and analysed using mean and standard deviation (SD) and regression statistics at 0.05 alpha level. The study’s finding showed that preventive behaviour towards breast cancer was significantly related to educational level (r = 0.102; p&lt;0.05) only. While marital status and age were not found to have a statistically significant relationship with preventive behaviour towards breast cancer, it was concluded that preventive behaviour towards breast cancer which were significantly related to their educational level. It was recommended that health educators establish a sustainable awareness campaign for women about breast cancer preventive practices through mass and social media and other communication channels such as posters, handbills, and flyers. Read more

Background: Mastectomy for breast cancer has progressed from radical approaches in the past to the breast conservative therapies (BCT) of today. Less invasive procedures followed by axillary dissection or radiotherapy achieves better cosmetic and similar prognostic outcome than radical approaches. Auchincloss modified radical mastectomy was originally described for level 1 and 2 axillary node dissection but has since been extended to include level 3 node clearance with variable results. Majority of our patients present late with level 2 and 3 axillary node involvement thereby making BCT impracticable. Aim: To evaluate effectiveness of Auchincloss’ modified radical mastectomy in loco-regional control of stages II and III breast cancer. Method: We recruited consecutive patients presenting to the surgical clinic of our hospital with breast cancer between 2017 and 2018 and administered questionnaires for demographics and clinical stage. They were subsequently counseled and offered mastectomy. Results A total of 51 patients were seen. All were females. Age range was between 30 and 70 years. Mean age was 46.8 years; median age 47 years while modal age was 47 years. One patient (1.96%) presented with stage IIB disease, 27 patients (52.94%) with stage IIIA, 8 patients (15.69%) with stage IIIB and 15 patients (29.41%) with stage IIIC disease. Three patients (5.88%) developed postoperative wound infection, 2 patients (3.85%) arm edema, 1 patient (1.96%) axillary node recurrence, 1 patient (1.96%) local chest wall recurrence and 2 patients (3.85%) developed seroma. Forty-two patients (82.35%) had no reportable post-operative complication. Conclusion: Auchincloss’ modified radical mastectomy is effective in loco-regional control of advanced breast cancer. Read more

The study is a descriptive Ex-post facto research and quantitative design was adopted. Sample size was determined using Taro Yamane formula and purposive sampling technique was adopted to select one hundred and twenty post-surgical patients who had mastectomy for the study. Data was processed using statistical package for social science version 21. Two research questions were answered using descriptive statistics of percentages and three hypotheses were tested using inferential statistics of student t-test at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that there is influence of physical attractiveness and Body image on psychological adjustment among patients undergoing mastectomy in OAUTHC. It is shown that there exists a significant physical attractiveness and Body image difference in psychological adjustment [t (118) = 1.99; &lt;.05]. There exists influence of sexual satisfaction on psychological adjustment among patients undergoing mastectomy in OAUTHC. It is shown that there exists significant sexual satisfaction difference in psychological adjustment [t (118) = 5.98; P.05]. Sexual satisfaction, self-esteem and physical attractiveness had significant joint influence on psychological adjustment [R = .33; R2 = .11; F (3, 118) = 4.33; P&lt;.01]. Collectively, sexual satisfaction, self-esteem and physical attractiveness accounted for about 11% variance in psychological adjustment. However, only sexual satisfaction (β = .43; t = 6.33; P&lt;.01) and physical attractiveness (β = .15; t = 1.99; P&lt;.05) had independent influence on psychological adjustment. The improvement of body image and physical attractiveness will positively enhance the sexual satisfaction of patients which will have a positive effects on their psychological adjustment and improved quality of life. Read more