Table 1. Characteristics of breast cancers used.

Variable	n	% positive
Nodal status
Negative	80	44.6
Positive	89	49.7
Unknown	10	5.7
Tumour size
T1 (⩽2 cm)	45	25
T2 (2–5 cm)	91	51
T3–4 (⩾5 cm)	29	16
Unknown	14	8
Histology type
Ductal (D)	133	74.3
Lobular (L)	27	15
D & L	10	5.7
Unknown	9	5
ER statusa
Negative	50	28
Positive	128	71.5
Unknown	1	0.5
PR statusb
Negative	73	41
Positive	77	43
Unknown	29	16

ER=oestrogen receptor. PR=progesterone receptor.

^aCutoff point=200 fmol g⁻¹ of wet weight tissue.

^bCutoff point=1000 fmol g ⁻¹ of wet weight tissue.