Reproductive risk factors associated with breast carcinoma in a tertiary care hospital of north India: A case-control study.

Context: Worldwide, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. In India and other developing countries, breast carcinoma ranks second only to cervical carcinoma among women. But the incidence of breast cancer is on the rise and may become number one cancer in females in near future. Aims: (1) To find out the magnitude of reproductive risk factors of carcinoma breast among the study subjects; and (2) to find out the association of reproductive risk factors with breast carcinoma. Materials and Methods: The study was done in the wards of General Surgery and Oncosurgery from August 2009-July 2010 in a tertiary care institute. A total of 128 histopathologically confirmed cases of breast cancer those came in this duration were considered. Equal controls were selected by simple random sampling by lottery method. The controls were matched for age with a range of ± 2 years. The subjects were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire. Written informed consent was taken from study subjects before starting the interview. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi-square test, odds ratio with 95% confidence interval, and t test. Results: The age group of the cases was 25-78 years, whereas that of the controls was 24-79 years. The difference among cases and controls regarding age at marriage, age at menarche, age at menopause, age at first pregnancy, and number of children was statistically significant. Continuous variables of the study population were analyzed by independent t tests, in which age at menarche and age at first pregnancy were found statistically significant. Conclusions: Information, education, and communication activities regarding risk factors and breast self-examination should be imparted to the women to create awareness about this fatal disease.

Assessment of professional competency and need of smoking cessation counseling for dental students / 보건의료교육평가

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the smoking prevalence among dental students and to assess the need for promoting tobacco education and intervention by exploring their knowledge about smoking related risk factors. The study also examined the attitudes and practices of the students toward tobacco consumption, and their responsibilities toward the community. METHODS: In total, 53 male students participated in the study (21 juniors and 32 seniors). The training program was divided into three modules, and the questionnaire was administered before and after the counseling sessions, which provided the comparative data on the students' views about smoking cessation. RESULTS: The most commonly practiced mode of tobacco consumption was found to be cigarette smoking (90.6%), while a few consumed Gutkha (9.4%). All the junior students (100%) reported to have been benefitted by the counseling program, while 68.8% of the students from the senior group reported the same. Bivariate statistical analysis was conducted using the Pearson's chi-square test for testing the difference across the age groups. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Curbing tobacco influence on dental students in their initial days can ensure a smoke-free life for them, as well as prevents them from feeling embarrassed or experiencing a lack of confidence while seeing their patients. Thus, tobacco education and intervention programs can motivate the students and increase their potential to be credible advisors regarding smoking cessation.