RESUMO
Breast cancer forms the commonest cancer in females in Jaipur region. Two hundred cases of breast malignancy were recorded in a single year (1990). This constituted 8.30% of total cancers and 19.40% of all female cancers. The commonest age group was 45-54 years (37.0%) followed by 35-44 years (24.50%). Only 13.50% were below the age of 35 years. Majority of the patients (97.50%) were married and 76.0% got married below the age of 20 years, 26.50% got married below the age of 15 years. Most (75.0%) has menarche between the age of 13 and 16 years. Menstrual irregularities were present in only 17.50% of the cases. More than 6 pregnancies had in 33.50% patients and 50.50% had 3-5 pregnancies. Only 4.50% had no issue. Most of the women (68.50%) had their first live child between 18 and 25 years and 13.50% had below 18 years. Majority reported having breastfed their children for 1-2 years. Only 12.0% and 5.0% women reported having any problem with breast during lactation and otherwise respectively. A family history of cancer was present in 10.0% of the cases. A personal delay of more than two years in seeking medical help was observed in only 6.0% of the cases while 22.50% sought medical advice within a week time. Risk factors which are implicated in the aetiology of breast cancer in the western setting might not necessarily hold true in our country. More epidemiological studies are required to elicit correlation, if any, in the Indian context.