Malignant Tumours of the Breast. Frequency Distribution by Age, Race and Stage at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, 1971-1981

During the 11-year period 1971 - 1981, 2215 new female patients with breast cancer were seen at the Groote Schuur Hospital Breast Clinic, Cape Town. The mean age at presentation of White patients was similar to that in most Western countries, but the disease was seen at an earlier age in Coloured and Black patients. Coloured and Black patients also presented with more advanced disease than White patients. There was, however, a progressive overall trend over the 11 years towards presentation at an earlier stage of the disease.