Risk factors associated with breast cancer in Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Pathologically confirmed breast cancer patients were seen between November 1982 to November 1989. The risk factors in the breast cancer population were compared with age-matched control group in our Institute and an attempt was made to compare our results with already published data. We found that Age of onset was one decade earlier than western Countries [43.5 years]; 93% married before the age of 25 years; 90% had full term pregnancy before the age of 20 years; 70% had more than 3 children; 90% had H/O breast feeding; 05% women were smokers while 25% husbands were smokers. There was no difference in the histology but breast cancer was detected one decade earlier than that found in western countries and risk factors associated with breast cancer in the western world were not playing any role in our study population