Geographical distribution of incidence and mortality of breast cancer and their association with Human Development Index in Europe

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer malignancy and the important reason for cancer-related mortality in females. The aim of this study was to evaluate the geographical distribution of occurrence and mortality of BC and their association with Human Development Index (HDI) in Europe in 2012.

Methods: This was an ecologic study to evaluate the relation between Age-Standardized Incidence Rate (ASIR) and Age Standardized Mortality Rate (ASMR) of BC with HDI, using data of GLOBOCAN project and the HDI report. Using SPSS18 statistical analysis software the data of the study was analyzed; the significance level of the tests was considered as P 0.05.

Results: The highest ASIR of BC was observed in Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and the highest ASMR was found in the FYR Macedonia, Serbia, Belgium, respectively. A positive correlation was found between the ASIR of BC and HDI (r= 0.611, p≤ 0.001), life expectancy in birth (r= 0.706, p≤0.001), average education years (r=0.038, p=0.815) and gross national income per capita (r= 0.719, p≤0.001). Moreover, there was negative correlation between the ASMR of BC and HDI (r= 0.464, p= 0.003), life expectancy at birth (r= 0.416, p=0.008), average education years (r= 0.277, p= 0.083) and gross national income per capita (r= 0.255, p= 0.112). Moreover, it is expected that the number of incidence and mortality from BC is increased within 2012-2035 in European countries.

Conclusion: There is a positive correlation between the ASIR of BC and HDI. Moreover, there is a negative correlation between ASMR of BC with HDI. Therefore, the results of this study indicate the importance of using HDI as factors affecting the ASIR and ASMR of BC.