RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CARCINOMA BREAST: A CASE CONTROL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among females in the world. Owing to regional variations in distribution of risk factors and differing lifestyles, there is geographical variation in incidence and mortality due to breast cancer.
Methods: The case control study was conducted at department of general surgery. Cases were newly diagnosed (histologically confirmed) female breast cancer patients presenting at any stage (TNM) during the recruitment phase. Controls were apparently healthy females i.e., attendants of other cases and who were not biologically related to the patients. Only cases with no history of any malignancy previously and controls, with no history of previously diagnosed or treated for any kind of malignancy were included in our study.
Results: The mean age of the cases was 48.23±10.63years and that of controls was 46.23±11.03 years. The age of women in both groups varied from 24 years to 75 years. Most of the cases and controls belonged to Hindu religion. Age at marriage and age at menopause reported significant risk for breast cancer. Parity and breast-feeding duration did not report any significant risk in present study population.
Conclusion: Information, education and communication activities regarding these risk factors, early signs and symptoms of breast carcinoma, and breast self-examination should be imparted to the women to create awareness about this fatal disease.
Keywords: Breast cancer, Breast self-examination, Risk factor