Breast Cancer among Pakistani Women in Referral Hospitals: An Overview of Risk Factors

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the significance of various reproductive risk factors amongst
Pakistani women suffering from breast carcinoma. This observational study was carried out from
March 2007 to February 2009 at three hospitals. The women who presented with breast swelling
with or without discharge from nipple were included in the study. The diagnosis of breast cancer was
confirmed by histopathological examination. A questionnaire included history and various reproductive
risk factors. The study patients were divided into two groups by their menopausal history – premenopausal
and post-menopausal as ‘group A’ and ‘group B’, respectively. A total of 70 patients had
the diagnosis of breast cancer. Of them, 32 were in group A and 38 in group B. Regarding age
distribution, 49% were found in ≥51 years of age and 29% in the age group 30 – 40 years. The mean
age at menarche was 13.3 years in group A and 12.4 years in group B. Nulliparity was seen in
12.5% cases in group A and 5.26% in group B. History of first full term pregnancy (FFTP) below
the age of 20 was present in majority of cases in both groups though higher in group B. Breast cancer
in post-menopausal women was exclusively found among those who had early menarche (<=11
years) and was more frequent among those who had FFTP below 20 years of age compared with the
pre-menopausal group (88% vs. 66%). The study showed higher frequency of breast cancer in postmenopausal
women having early menarche and also more frequent among those with early FFTP.
Parity, breast feeding, oral contraceptive pill use were not related to breast cancer.

Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2010; 4(1): 1-3

Indexing Words: Breast carcinoma; risk factors; genetics.

DOI: 10.3329/imcj.v4i1.5926