EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF YOUNG WOMEN DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER TREATED AT A MASTOLOGY SERVICE IN THE FEDERAL DISTRICT

Abstract

Breast cancer remains one of the main public health challenges in Brazil, especially given the controversies related to the age of initiation of mammographic screening. Although the guidelines of the Unified Health System (SUS) recommend population screening only from the age of 50, recent epidemiological evidence points to a significant incidence of the disease in younger women. In this context, the present study aimed to analyze the epidemiological, clinical, and diagnostic profile of women with breast cancer treated at a public mastology referral service in the Federal District, with an emphasis on the population under 50 years of age, contributing to the debate on the anticipation of screening to the age of 40. This is an observational, retrospective, cross-sectional, and descriptive study based on a review of medical records of patients treated at the mastology outpatient clinic of the Taguatinga Regional Hospital between January and December 2024. 171 cases of breast cancer were identified in women under 50 years of age, predominantly in the 40-49 age group. A high proportion of diagnoses at advanced stages, a high frequency of lymph node involvement, and a predominance of biologically aggressive tumor subtypes were observed, resulting in more invasive therapeutic approaches. The findings highlight a gap between the current screening policy and the observed epidemiological reality, reinforcing the need for a critical review of national guidelines and the implementation of organized early detection strategies starting at age 40.