[Risk factors of breast cancer in Asian women: a meta-analysis]

To evaluate the risk factors of breast cancer in Asian women and to provide evidences for establishing a risk assessment model.

Published studies concerning risk factors of breast cancer in Asian women were searched systemically and assessed by NOS (Newcastle-Ottawa Scale) items between 1995 and 2010. RevMan 4.2 software was used for data analysis and for calculating OR and its 95%CI on every risk factor.

27 studies including 403 170 women were selected for Meta-analysis. According to NOS items, 20 studies were classified as A degree and 7 studies were evaluated as B degree. The risk factors of breast cancer and its pooled odds ratio values with statistical significance were as follows: 3.00 (95%CI: 1.68 - 5.36) when number of abortions ≥ 3; 2.39 (95%CI: 1.78 - 3.21) when with family history of breast cancer; 1.54 (95%CI: 1.30 - 1.82) when age at first live birth ≥ 30 (year); smoking was 1.50 (95%CI: 1.03 - 2.20); 1.48 (95%CI: 1.20 - 1.83) with no live births; 1.29 (95%CI: 1.12 - 1.47) with no breast feeding; 1.26 (1.07 - 1.49) with age at menarche ≤ 12 (year) and 1.16 (95%CI: 1.01 - 1.32) with alcohol drinking.

Number of abortions ≥ 3, family history of breast cancer, age at first live birth ≥ 30 (year), smoking, no live births, no breast feeding, age at menarche ≤ 12 (year), and alcohol drinking were among the priorities in the establishment of breast cancer risk assessment model for Asian women.