Characteristics of Breast Cancer in Syria: A Study of Age and Subtype Distributions with Regional Comparisons

Background Breast cancer, the most prevalent malignancy among women worldwide, presents significant regional differences in age at onset and tumor characteristics. In Syria, ongoing conflict has disrupted healthcare, delaying diagnosis and treatment. This study analyzes tumor characteristics and age distributions among Syrian breast cancer patients and compares findings with regional and Western data to highlight the need for improved early detection strategies. Methods This retrospective descriptive study included 393 breast cancer patients treated at Al Bayrouni Hospital, Damascus, from 2021–2023. Data on demographics, tumor stage, grade, receptor status, and molecular subtypes were extracted from hospital records with ethical approval from Damascus University. Syrian patient characteristics were compared with published datasets from neighboring countries and Western regions. One-way ANOVA was used to assess age differences by tumor stage (p = 0.047). Results The mean age at diagnosis was 48.8 years (SD = 11.9), which was younger than that in Lebanon (54.6 years) and Australia (60 years). Most cases were Stage II (54.3%) or III (20.8%), with only 15.1% at Stage I. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) prevalence was 14.8%, which aligns with Iraq (12.4%) and Lebanon (9.3%) but is lower than that in Saudi Arabia (39%). Late-stage diagnoses highlight screening deficiencies. Conclusion Syrian breast cancer patients are diagnosed at younger ages and at advanced stages, reflecting conflict-related barriers. Mobile mammography units and awareness campaigns are urgently needed to improve outcomes. Future research should explore the genetic and environmental factors driving these trends.