Breast feeding as a protective factor for breast cancer in the tropics

ABSTRACT

To study the protective effect of breastfeeding on breast cancer in patients admitted at Al-Gamhouria Teaching Hospital during the period from January 1[st], 2003 to December 31[st], 2004. This was a prospective case control study. The total population was composed of 55patients who were diagnosed with breast cancer and no controls were free from the disease. The controls were matched to the patients on sex and age group criteria and analyzed using statistical test and 95% interval confidence. The difference between patients and controls regarding to never breastfeeding is insignificant with odds ratio 0.88. The difference between patients and controls who had breastfed their children during the period less than 24 months was insignificant with the odds ratio 0.96 with 95% CI 0.37- 2.64. Among patients who had breastfed their children there is reduction in the risk of breast cancer compared with those never breastfed, OR 0.88. There is protection from breast cancer among females who breastfed their children within the period >/= 24 months compared with those never breastfed, OR 0.74. Porous women who breastfed their children for less than 24 months had a borderline reduced risk of breast cancer, OR 0.96. Breastfeeding for >/= 24 months protect the occurrence of breast cancer more than breastfeeding in less than 24 months compared with never breastfeeding. We recommend to organize regular lectures in mother and child health care centers to emphasize the importance of breast feeding as protective factor for breast cancer and to introduce breast risk factors as part of teaching in mother and child health care centers