Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is a multi-factorial disease where genetic susceptibility, environment, nutrition and other lifestyle risk factors interact. Better identification of modifiable risk factors and risk reduction of breast cancer may allow implementation of useful strategies for prevention.
Objective: identify the risk factors of breast cancer among women in Baghdad, and determine the significance of these factors in development of this disease.
Methods: A case control study was conducted at two breast tumor centers and Radiotherapy/ Nuclear Medicine Hospital, in Baghdad city. The total sample (300 women) was divided into 130 patients with breast cancer versus 170 women without breast cancer as a control group. All cases should have a positive histopathology on basis of fine needle aspiration cytology and/ histo-pathological examination of excisional biopsy. The control should not have any history of breast problem. A specially designed questionnaire was developed and direct interview was done with all women included in the study.
Results: The results revealed that women with breast cancer had higher age compared with the control; marital status was not a risk factor. The majority of patients were not highly educated. The percentage of high education in the cases was (16.9 %) versus (38.8%) in the control group; the result was statistically significant. The housewives are significantly affected (73.1%) and family history of breast cancer is a strong associated factor especially among those having first degree relatives with breast cancer. Parous women had a lower risk for breast cancer but the number of children should be limited to 1-3. Positive history of abortion increases the risk for breast cancer.
Conclusion: It can be concluded from this study that age, level of education, smoking, body mass index, physical activity, abortion, type of food and family history of breast cancer are important risk factors in breast cancer. Key words: Breast cancer, risk factors, Baghdad
Objective: identify the risk factors of breast cancer among women in Baghdad, and determine the significance of these factors in development of this disease.
Methods: A case control study was conducted at two breast tumor centers and Radiotherapy/ Nuclear Medicine Hospital, in Baghdad city. The total sample (300 women) was divided into 130 patients with breast cancer versus 170 women without breast cancer as a control group. All cases should have a positive histopathology on basis of fine needle aspiration cytology and/ histo-pathological examination of excisional biopsy. The control should not have any history of breast problem. A specially designed questionnaire was developed and direct interview was done with all women included in the study.
Results: The results revealed that women with breast cancer had higher age compared with the control; marital status was not a risk factor. The majority of patients were not highly educated. The percentage of high education in the cases was (16.9 %) versus (38.8%) in the control group; the result was statistically significant. The housewives are significantly affected (73.1%) and family history of breast cancer is a strong associated factor especially among those having first degree relatives with breast cancer. Parous women had a lower risk for breast cancer but the number of children should be limited to 1-3. Positive history of abortion increases the risk for breast cancer.
Conclusion: It can be concluded from this study that age, level of education, smoking, body mass index, physical activity, abortion, type of food and family history of breast cancer are important risk factors in breast cancer. Key words: Breast cancer, risk factors, Baghdad