Modeling of Breast Cancer Prognostic Factors Using a Parametric Log-Logistic Model in Southern Iran

In general, breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women in developed as well as some developing countries. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality after lung cancer (Nagel et al., 2004; Fisch et al., 2005; Grau et al., 2005). Based on the report by the Disease Control and Prevention Center of Iran Ministry of Health and Medical Education, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among Iranian women and allocates 21% of all malignancies. The prevalence of breast cancer is estimated between 8 – 10% in Europe and the U.S. Moreover, the lowest prevalence of the disease is reported as 1% in Asia. The prevalence of breast cancer in Iran is estimated 6.7 in 1000 people, which is lower than its global measure. Although a great number of studies have been conducted on the risk factors as well as the prognostic factors of breast cancer around the world, just a few studies have investigated the issue in Iran (Al-Moundhri et al., 2004; Foo et al., 2005; Kim et al., 2005). Iran has a population of 75 million people, and most of the studies on breast cancer are performed in the capital, Tehran, which has a population of 14 million people. However, the focus of the most of those studies has not been the natural course and prognostic factors. Also,