Association with reproductive risk factors: A casecontrol study

Abstract

Background: Association of reproductive factors with breast cancer is unclear in our population. This study was done to assess the relationship between various reproductive risk factors of breast cancer in Bangladesh. Methodology: This case control study was conducted in Department of Surgery, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, Sylhet and Shaheed Shamsuddin Hospital, Sylhet during January 2012 to June 2012. Sixty five women with breast cancer fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were taken in case group and agestratified random sample of 65 women without breast cancer were taken in control group. Results: The mean age of the patients was 48.9 (SD ±8.7) years in case group and 47.8 (SD ±8.7) years in control group (p>0.05). A significant reduction of the risk of developing breast cancer was observed among women whose age at menarche was 13-15 years compared with women whose age at menarche was 12 years or less (OR=0.296; 95% of CI=0.090-0.969; p=0.044). A significant reduction of the risk of developing breast cancer was observed among women whose age at marriage was 18 years
or less compared with women whose age at marriage more than 18 years (OR=0.413; 95% of CI=0.184-0.927; p=0.032). A significant increase of the risk of developing breast cancer was observed among women whose age at 1 child was 21 to 25 years compared with women whose age at 1 child was at 20 years or less (OR=2.61; 95% of CI=1.18-5.78; p=0.018). Postmenopausal women had about 30% higher risk of breast cancer compared with premenopausal women (non-significant) (OR=1.31; 95% of CI=0.64-2.69; p=0.464). Women with family history of breast cancer were at elevated risk (non-significant) of breast cancer compared women without family history of breast cancer (OR=2.63; 95% of CI=0.49-14.05; p=0.259). A significant reduction of the risk of developing breast cancer was observed among women whose total duration of breast feeding was 2 years or more
compared with women had absent breast feeding (OR=0.25; 95% of CI=0.08-0.83; p=0.024). A significant increased the risk of developing breast cancer was observed among women whose used hormonal contraceptives compared with women without using hormonal contraceptives (OR=2.11; 95% of CI=1.04-4.31; p= p=0.040). Conclusion: Advanced stage of presentation has remained a dilemma for the treating oncologists and surgeons in our country. Many NGOs, hospitals and clinics have been running programs to increase awareness about breast cancer.