Vol. 4, Issue 2, Part E (2020)

Author(s): Dr. Ilango S Parthasarathy, Dr. Ashwyn Anand, Dr. Vinayagamoorthy Venugopal and Dr. P Thrivikrama Rao

Abstract: Introduction: The incidence of breast cancer is increasing in developing countries over decades. Breast cancer is a public health problem in India. Identifying the risk factors helps to reduce the incidence and improve quality of life of people in future. Method: A hospital based case control study was conducted among all the breast cancer cases newly diagnosed in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Puducherry. 40 cases of breast cancer were paired with age matched controls from the same hospital (ratio 1:2) with a total of 120 study participants. Data were collected by interviewing the participants using a pre tested structured questionnaire. Analysis was done using SPSS version 24.0 Results: Age group of participants ranged from 35-69 years. Age group of 46-55 years [OR-3.4; 95% CI: 1.1-11.2], homemaker [OR-0.4; 95% CI: 0.2-0.9], Early menarche <12 years [OR-2.8; 95% CI: 1.3-6], being unmarried [OR-2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.8], alcohol consumption [OR-4.5; 95% CI: 1.1-19], tobacco usage [OR-9; 95% CI: 2.9-27], increased waist circumference [OR-2.2; 95% CI: 1.1-4.9], severe perceived stress [OR-2.8; 95% CI: 1.1-7], were found to be the significant risk factors for the breast cancer. Conclusion: The identified modifiable risk factors of breast cancer need to consider for screening as well as for health education program. Health care personnel should be trained to spread the awareness of breast cancer in the community and to identify the vulnerable groups at all levels of health care.