Prevalence and Severity of Anaemia in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in women globally and the primary cause of cancer-related deaths, particularly in low- and middle-income countries with inadequate access to prompt early detection and medical care. In patients with breast cancer, chemotherapy-induced anaemia (CIA) is a common side effect that can cause treatment delays, dose reduction, and adverse patient outcomes. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and severity of anaemia in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, as well as the effect that anaemia has on the effectiveness of treatment and the quality of life for patients. In this cross-sectional study, women employees of the hospital who appeared healthy were used as controls, whereas the subjects were patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Sysmex XN-330 automated haematology analyzer was used to analyze blood samples that were collected in K2EDTA bottles. The prevalence and severity of anaemia were determined by measuring haematological parameters, such as haemoglobin levels. GraphPad Prism 6.1 was used to analyze the data, and the results were presented as percentages and frequencies. Out of the 100 individuals with breast cancer under examination, 16% were anaemic and 84% were non-anaemic. Two percent (2%) of the anaemic patients had mild anaemia, 11% had moderate anaemia, and 3% had severe anaemia. The impacts of treatment on haemoglobin levels were demonstrated by the mean haemoglobin level for anaemic patients, which dropped from 11.12 g/dl at baseline to 10.34 g/dl following chemotherapy. Patients at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital with breast cancer who are receiving chemotherapy frequently suffer from anaemia, especially from moderate cases. The drop in haemoglobin levels after chemotherapy emphasizes how important it is to manage anaemia proactively to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. To lessen the impact of chemotherapy-induced anaemia, healthcare professionals ought to carry out routine haemoglobin monitoring and consider early therapies such nutritional supplementation or erythropoiesis-stimulating drugs.