Identifying Breast Cancer Risk Factors in Middle-Aged Women by Analyzing Fertility Factors

Identifying breast cancer risk factors is essential for assessing the current state of the cancer care system. The maini aim of the presentstudy was to compare the reproductive risk factors of breast cancer.

The current case-control research was executed in 2021 on women with and without a history of breast cancer, referring to the Basra Hospital for Women and Children and Basra Teaching hospital. The participants were divided into two groups: diagnosed (121 women) and healthy subjects (484 women). Demographic characteristics and reproductive risk factors were compared between the two groups.

The results revealed that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after menopause [OR=2.64, (95% CI 1.68-5.72)], age of menopause >46 years [OR=2.13, (95% CI 1.88-5.17)], breastfeeding ≤11 months [OR=1.81 (95% CI 1.71-4.09)], having a history of abortion [OR=1.68 (95 CI 0.62-2.76)], contraceptive pill usage [OR=1.47 (95% CI 0.73-2.18)], age of menarche ≤13 years [OR=1.42 (95% CI 0.78-1.94)], and being overweight or obese [OR=1.36 (95% CI 0.56-1.72)] increase the risk of breast cancer. None of those variables showed a significant correlation in multivariate analysis.

Age of menopause >46 years, hormone replacement therapy after menopause, and breastfeeding ≤11 months were the most significant risk factors for breast cancer. It is suggested that the treatment staff pay special attention to persuading breastfeeding and early diagnosis protocols for controlling breast cancer.