Risk Factors for Breast Cancer in Low Socioeconomic Women; a Screening Population-based Study

Introduction & Aim: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy in female population, undeniably. There is enough evidence that more than half of its related mortality would happen in developing countries like Iran. Although multiple reports on the risk factors of BC are present, there is no information of this kind in low socioeconomic groups. The aim of this study is to explore the risk factors for female breast cancer in a low socioeconomic population in Iran. Methods: This observational cross-sectional screening population-based study conducted in ten provincial capitals of Iran, between 1388 and 1391. All participants were women over 30 years old who were under Imam Khomeini’s Relief Foundation insurance coverage. A complete history, physical examination and mammography were performed by research team. Relogit (logistic regression model for rare events) analysis using statistical analysis software SPSS version 16 was applied to determine the risk factors. Results: Finally, 25,592 women out of 27,008 joined the screening program. There were 111 people with BC (prevalence: 411/100,000) as case group and the rest of them (25,481) as control group. The findings showed that oral contraceptive pills use, positive history of previous ovarian cancer, positive familial background of BC and hormone-therapy could be linked with BC. There was also an increasing risk of BC associated to aforementioned factors in the form of odds ratio. Conclusion: Risk factors in low socioeconomic BC patients could differ from those of contrasting population. Considering this diversity may provide a privileged system of prevention and treatment.