Epidemiology and clinic of bilateral breast cancer in western regions of Ukraine
The interest in bilateral breast cancer has increased because the incidence of this cancer is expected to rise as a direct result of improved detection capabilities. Furthermore, the survival rate of patients with bilateral breast cancer is worse than that of those with unilateral breast cancer. The retrospective analysis of 148 patients of four western regions of Ukraine was done. Studies have shown that a family history of breast cancer, an early age of first primary diagnosis, HR-negative and a lobular histology of the first primary breast cancer increase the risk of developing contralateral breast cancer. Although chemotherapy and tamoxifen therapy may reduce this risk. There are no convincing evidence regarding the effects of radiotherapy, alcohol use, smoking or body weight. Second tumor is more often detecting on earlier stages due to higher oncologic alarm of doctors and patients. This might be the result of optimal surveillance and clinical management of women who have had breast cancers. Additional analytical studies addressing all po-tential risk factors associated with the development of contralateral breast cancer are necessary in view of the increasing incidence and survival of women with a first primary.