Int J Med Health Sci. Oct 2013,Vol-2;Issue-4 398 International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences Journal Home Page: http://www.ijmhs.net ISSN:2277-4505 Haematological Parameters in Female Breast Cancer Patients in South Western Nigeria Akanni Emmanuel Olufemi 1 , Oguntola Adetunji Saliu 2* , Adeoti Moses Layiwola 3 , Agodirin Sulaiman Olayide 4 1 Haematology Division, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4400, Osogbo, Nigeria. 2&3 Department of Surgery, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. 4 Department of Surgery, University of Ilorin, Nigeria. ABSTRACT This is a cross sectional study of age and variations of Haematological parameters among female breast cancer patients and apparently healthy individuals in South western Nigeria.. Eighty eight breast cancer patients from Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital and Abake Medical centre in Osogbo, Osun State were studied between July and November, 2011. Questionnaires for bio data were administered to both the patients (cases) and control subjects. Haematological parameters were run on the EDTA samples for packed cell volume (PCV), white cell count (WBC), red cell indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC), RBC count, platelet count, using automated machine (Sysmex KX-21N, Kobe Japan 2003). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was also performed on the sodium citrate samples using the Western green method. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were seen in the values for WBC, RBC, HB, PCV but not for ESR (p >0.05) among controls below and above age 40 years. The HB, PCV, RBC and WBC and the absolute platelet count were lower in patients compared to the controls with statistically significant differences (p<0.05). However, the mean ESR value significantly higher than the control subjects (p < 0.05). This study has shown that age, anaemia; leucopenia and thrombocytopenia were common basic features to be considered in breast cancer patients and erythropoiesis-related parameters are lower in the older patients. KEYWORDS: Age, haematological parameters, females, breast cancer, Nigeria INTRODUCTION Cancer is a major public health problem in Nigeria, the United States and many other parts of the world. Currently, one in four deaths in the United States is due to cancer According to the American Cancer Society, 7.6 million people died from cancer World-wide in 2007[1]. Anemia is a complication commonly observed in patients with cancer, this can be caused by bleeding, nutritional deficiencies, bone marrow damage, tumor infiltration in bone marrow, and the malignant process itself. The inflammatory cytokines associated with tumor genesis, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 (IL-1), can inhibit the proliferation of erythrocytic progenitors [2]. Breast cancer incidence appears to be on the increase in Nigeria, large number of the patients appear to present lately thus with high tendency of presenting with anaemia and its consequences. Anemia is present in many patients with cancer at the time of diagnosis or as a result of chemotherapy [2]. This is usually termed “anemia of chronic diseases,” and the three categories of diseases associated with it are infection, inflammation, and neoplasia. Changes in the pattern of iron distribution are characteristic of this kind of anemia [3, 4, 5]. Haematological indices in cancer patients at presentation have been evaluated in very few studies, examples are that of den Ouden [6] on ovarian cancer and Madu [7] on breast cancer. Breast cancer also tends to occur more in younger patients among blacks compare to the Caucasians, these tends to be more aggressive and portends worse prognosis. The haematological parameters might be similarly affected. This study therefore aimed at evaluating the haematological status of our female breast cancer patients both old and young with a view to helping in cancer counselling and diagnosis for an improved management and life style of the patients. Original article