A CASE CONTROL STUDY OF RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH FEMALE BREAST CANCER

Risk Factors in Female Breast Cancer

Abstract

Objective: To find the association of various risk factors with breast cancer.                                                                       

Study Design: It was a case-control study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in NORI Hospital Islamabad and Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi between August, 2013 and February, 2014.

Material and Methods: Two hundred breast cancer patients and 200 control subjects were inducted. A short approved and planned questionnaire was used to collect data regarding basic demographic, menstrual and reproductive characteristics of participating females.  Cases and controls were then interviewed after taking written consent.

Results: Breast cancer patients and control subjects did not differ regarding age (p = 0.15), early menarche (OR for menarche at <13 years vs. ≥13=1.3, 95% CI = 0.84 – 2.02), and history of breast cancer in 1st degree relatives did not increase breast cancer risk (OR = 1.0, 95% CI = 0.57 – 1.74). Nulliparous women had significantly higher risk than parous women (OR = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.22 – 4.84) and women with late menopause compared to women with early onset of menopause were also at higher risk for breast cancer (OR for menopause at ≥ 50 vs. < 50 = 5.16, 95% CI = 2.59 – 10.29).

Conclusion: Nulliparity and menopausal age of more than 50 years was associated with increased breast cancer risk. Breastfeeding and age less than 25 years at first live birth was not protective against breast cancer.