The objective was to assess the magnitude of carcinoma of the breast as a problem among
women seen in Libya. Design: There were 168 female patients with breast cancer treated and
operated upon in African Oncology Institute. The clinical and pathological picture of these 168
female patients was evaluated and different methods of operation for breast cancer performed. The
time of presentation of patients with breast cancer and staging was recorded. The rationale of this
study was to encourage the establishment of national cancer registry in Libya and a detailed national
population screening programmer. The results show that 25.5% were of multipara while 24.4% were
of high parity, married at relatively young age and most practiced breast feeding. The majority
(56.5%) of these patients presented at late stage III and IV and 35.6 % of these patients presented
early stage.