ABSTRACT
This study was conducted on 390 female breast cancer patients and an equal number of females as controls. The patients were attending some University and Teaching Hospitals in Cairo and Assuit. Ninety of them were newly operated. A retrospective, case-control, clinic based study was chosen to carry out this research. The aim of the study was to describe the sociodemographic, characteristics and clinical features of female breast cancer and to determine its risk factors among Egyptian women. All the patients and the controls had undergone physical examinations. Laboratory investigations were done for the newly operated patients and their controls. The most important characteristics of breast cancer patients were breast mass as the main presenting symptom [92.1%] and treated by modified radical mastectomy [77.2%]. Low means level of serum vitamin D and high levels of serum cholesterol and triglyceride were found more among the patients. Age at first full term pregnancy >/= 30 years, age at menopause >/= 45 years, pregnancy termination and/or abortion and never married were important gynaecological and reproductive risk factors [OR=4.44, 3.14, 2.84 and 2.67, respectively]. Also, exposure to radiation and/or environmental factors, history of benign breast disease and alcohol use were important associated risk factors [OR=5.05, 4.63 and 4.10, respectively]. Moreover, the sister as the nearest female relative with breast cancer, total number of female relatives with breast cancer >/= 2 and relative[s] age at diagnosis <50 years were important family history risk factors [OR=9.19, 8.84 and 7.91, respectively]. Lastly, high consumption of canned foods, fat rich foods and low consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables were important dietary risk factors [OR=3.39, 1.76 and 1.51, respectively]