Background:

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and a leading cause of mortality. Molecular biomarkers such as estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), HER2, and Ki-67 play a crucial role in assessing prognosis and guiding treatment. The prevalence and patterns of these biomarkers can vary across different populations, making it important to study their relevance in local settings.

Methodology:

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 117 breast cancer patients from healthcare centers in Babol, Northern Iran, between 2019 and 2023. Data were collected from medical records and a researcher-developed questionnaire, which included demographic information, tumor characteristics, and molecular biomarker status (ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67). Statistical analysis involved descriptive methods such as frequency distributions, percentages, and means.

Results:

The average age of the patients was 56.23 years (SD = 10.88). The biomarker expression showed that 66.7% of patients were ER-positive, 59% were PR-positive, 23.1% were HER2-positive, and 66.7% were Ki-67 positive. No distant metastasis (M1) was reported, with 100% of patients in M0 status. The analysis indicated that ER and PR positivity increased with age, while Ki-67 positivity was higher in younger patients. Tumor stage and lymph node involvement were associated with higher Ki-67 expression.

Conclusion:

This study highlights the significant role of molecular biomarkers in breast cancer prognosis. The findings suggest that older patients tend to have hormone-sensitive tumors, while younger patients show higher tumor proliferative activity. Biomarkers like ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67 can be used for personalized treatment strategies, potentially improving patient outcomes.