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Updated: May 6, 2026

Changes in Mammary Gland Morphology and Breast Cancer Risk in Rats
Published on: October 16, 2010
Factors associated with breast cancer in Puerto Rican women
Luisa Morales1, Carolina Alvarez-Garriga, Jaime Matta
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Ponce School of Medicine and Health Sciences, P.O. Box 7004-388, Ponce 00732-7004, Puerto Rico; Public Health Program, Ponce School of Medicine and Health Sciences, P.O. Box 7004-388, Ponce 00732-7004, Puerto Rico.
Background:
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer afflicting Puerto Rican women and accounts for more cancer-related deaths in this population than any other cancer.
Methods:
Demographic, anthropometric, family history, and lifestyle data, as well as DNA repair capacity (DRC), were compared in 465 BC cases and 661 controls. Crude and multiple logistic regression-derived adjusted odds ratios were used as indicators of the associations between BC and the variables under study.
Results:
A low DRC level, aging (>61years), family history of BC, and low education level had statistically significant associations with increased BC risk. Endometriosis, full-term pregnancy at an earlier age, higher parity, hysterectomy before age 50, multivitamin and calcium intake, and longer duration of breastfeeding significantly decreased BC risk.
Conclusions:
This study discusses the major risk factors for BC in Puerto Rico (PR). Because many of these findings represent modifiable risk factors, they can translate into public health initiatives to lower BC risk. In addition, the possibility of using DRC as a simple screening tool for BC risk is explored.
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