Risk factors of breast cancer in the north of Iran. A population-based case-control study

Introduction: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women and the leading cause of cancer death in them (۱, ۲, ۳). Estimated number of new cases BC in ۲۰۲۰ for Iranian females is ASR= ۳۶.۸ per ۱۰۰۰۰۰(۴). Golestan province in the north of Iran has high incidence and prevalence of cancer, so this population-based case-control study was conducted to identify risk factors of BC. Methods: The study population was residents of Golestan province and the case group was women who had BC and the control group was healthy women >۳۰ years old. The sample size was۶۵۱ (۲۳۷,۴۱۴for case and control groups respectively) and control group were randomly selected. Data collection form included demographic and fertility characteristics. The OR of common risk factors for BC was extracted using SPSS statistical software. Results: Binary logistic regression analysis was performed. The age ≥ ۴۰ years (OR = ۲.۳۱, ۹۵% CI: ۱.۵۵, ۳.۴۴), academic education (OR = ۲.۲۲, ۹۵% CI: ۱.۲۰, ۴.۰۸), history of breast cancer (OR = ۲.۰۹, ۹۵% CI: ۱.۱۵, ۳.۸۰) and colon cancer in first-degree family (OR = ۲.۲, ۹۵% CI: ۱.۰۵, ۴.۵۵) and history of unfortunate events (OR = ۱.۷۳, ۹۵% CI: ۱.۲۴, ۱.۷۳) had a significant association with BC. The adapted OR age≥۴۰ years old and academic education were ۲.۲۱(۹۵% CI: ۱.۲۶, ۳.۸۷) and ۲.۸۲(۹۵% CI: ۱.۱۳, ۷.۰۱) respectively. Conclusion: According to the findings of the study, women's awareness about the risk factors for BC should be increased and screening programs for at-risk groups should be envisaged so that women can benefit from these services.