Case-control Study of Reproductive Risk Factors on Breast Cancer- a Pilot Study

AIM ; To study the effect of reproductive factors on breast cancer risk in Niger Delta women. SETTING: University of Benin Teaching Hospital and Central Hospital Benin. DESIGN: Case-control study. SUBJECTS: Seventy one women diagnosed with breast cancer and their age-matched controls. FINDINGS: Mean age of cases was 46.7 years, control was 45.7 years. Family history of breast cancer RR2.03 P 0.12 CI 1.71-2.40, Parity less than three RR1.42 P,0.077 CI 1.032-1.964,cumulative breastfeeding history less than two years RR 1.28, P 0.21, CI 0.93-1.77 and early menarche less than 13 years RR 1.29, P 0.18, CI 0.91-1.84 were associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. However none of the factors attained statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Our pilot study indicates family history of breast cancer, parity less than three, cumulative breastfeeding duration less than two years and early menarche are associated with higher breast cancer risk in Niger Delta women.