Risk factors of female breast carcinoma: a case control study at Puducherry

To identify and quantify various demographic, reproductive, socio-economic and dietary risk factors among women with breast cancer.

Case control study.

February 2004 to May 2005.

Departments of Surgery, Medicine and Radiotherapy of Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Sciences and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry.

Cases were women with pathologically confirmed breast cancer. Controls were age-matched women from medicine and surgery wards without any current breast problem or previous breast cancer. A total of 152 cases and 152 controls were enrolled. They were interviewed for parity, breast feeding, past history of benign breast lesion, family history and dietary history with a pre-tested interview schedule after obtaining informed written consent.

The significant risk factors were (odds ratios with 95% CI) previous history of biopsy for benign breast lesion 10.4 (1.3-86.3), nulliparity 2.4 (1.14-5.08), consumption of fats more than 30 g/day 2.4 (1.14-5.45) and consumption of oils containing more of saturated fat 2.0 (1.03-4.52).

Nulliparity, past history of benign breast lesion, high fat diet and consumption of oils with more saturated fats were the risk factors.