For the recurrent disease subgroup, the HR was 2.10 (95% CI: 1.74-2.54, <i>p</i> = 0.000, <i>Z</i> = 7.64).<h4>Conclusion</h4>Breast cancer patients presenting with high baseline TK1 expression are associated with significantly worse prognostic outcomes. Here, TK1 is linked to breast cancer.