Risk factors of breast cancer among patients in a tertiary care hospitals in Afghanistan: a case control study

Abstract

Background Breast cancer is the second most common causes of women’s death, worldwide. Data on risk factors associated with female breast cancer in the Afghan population is very limited. The aim of our study was to identifying risk factor associated with female breast cancer in Afghanistan. Methods A retrospective case-control study was conducted with inclusion of 201 cases and 201 controls. Patient information was collected by interviewing the patient through a structured questionnaire. Histopathological information was collected from the hospital integrated laboratory management system. The data was analyzed by using logistic regression with univariate and multivariable analyses to determine the association between breast cancer and predictors. Results The results of the current study showed that factors such as: age (OR = 1.02; 95%CI: 0.99–1.04; p-0.148); age at menarche (OR = 0.83; 95%CI: 0.72–0.92; p-0.008); age at first baby (OR = 1.14; 95%CI: 1.07–1.20; p- < 0.001); illiteracy (OR = 1.93; 95%CI: 1.16–3.22; p-0.011); smoking (OR = 2.01; 95%CI: 1.01–3.99; p-0.04) and family history of cancer (OR = 1.98; 95%CI: 1.18–3.32; p-0.009) were significantly associated with breast cancer. However, our study did not demonstrate any statistically significant correlation between breast cancer and some of the predictors that were previously highlighted in literature, such as: marital status, Body Mass Index (BMI), use of hormonal contraceptive, breastfeeding and exercise. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that age at menarche, and age at first baby birth, illiteracy, smoking and family history of cancer were significant risk factors associated with development of breast cancer among women in Afghanistan. Health education of women regarding aforementioned predisposing factors are therefore, expected to be valuable in decreasing the burden of breast cancer with reduction of its burden on the healthcare system in Afghanistan.

The Importance of Clinical Data for the Diagnosis of Breast Tumours in North Afghanistan

“…In these areas, patients suffer from poor hygiene, poor transport facilities to health centres and limited medical knowledge in self-assessment [ 3 – 6 ]. There are only sparse data on breast cancer in Afghanistan [ 7 – 9 ].…”

The Association between Soy Food and Breast Cancer; a Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study at Taif City, Saudi Arabia

“…Additionally, in our participants, there was no association between BC and other factors like smoking and HRT. A similar study found no statistically significant association between smoking and the risk of BC [50] .…”

Short Breastfeeding Duration is Associated With Premature Onset of Female Breast Cancer

“…Our results confirmed this hypothesis since those subjects who had breastfed for longer than 3 months and who had no family history of breast cancer were diagnosed with breast cancer at a more advanced age. Nevertheless, it is also true that despite existing evidence on the protection afforded by maternal lactation against breast cancer, some studies show no clear effects of breastfeeding on breast cancer incidence (Alsolami et al, 2019; Baset et al, 2021). For this reason, more in-depth studies and larger population samples are needed in order to investigate and possibly confirm the potential influence of factors, such as obesity or breastfeeding in the development of female breast cancer.…”