Risk factor stratification in breast cancer - a tertiary care analysis

Abstract

Breast cancer is a very common malignancy diagnosed in India and is the most common cancer in women in India. The morbidity and mortality burden of malignancy in India ranks as one of the highest in the world. India has a network of cancer registries, a process which has expanded since the 1960s and has new initiatives such as cancer atlas and online software programs. The burden of breast cancer is on the rise in both developed and developing countries. The objectives were to identify and study the risk factors for breast cancer among women attending Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Chennai and to study the association between risk factors and breast cancer. The case-control study was conducted on 110 cases and 110 controls. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information. Statistical Analysis was done using MS Excel 2007 and the Chi-Square test was also used. Of the parameters studied, residence, family history, parity, duration of breastfeeding and oral contraceptive use were found to be associated with breast cancer and were statistically significant (p<0.05). The findings suggest that positive family history, nulliparity, duration of breastfeeding and OCP use may have an impact on breast cancer in Indian women. Hence screening and creation of awareness may help in decreasing mortality.