Risk Factors of Female Breast Cancer in Vietnam: A Case-Control Study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Breast cancer incidence is rising rapidly in Vietnam, exceeding 10,000 new cases annually.
• Identifying specific risk factors is crucial for targeted prevention and early detection strategies in the Vietnamese population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate demographic, reproductive, and lifestyle risk factors associated with breast cancer among Vietnamese women.
• To provide insights into the etiology of breast cancer in a rapidly developing region.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 269 women with breast cancer and 519 age-matched controls.
• Data collected from major oncology hospitals in northern and southern Vietnam.
• Statistical analyses included chi-squared tests, independent t tests, and conditional logistic regression to determine odds ratios (OR).

Main Results:

• Significant risk factors identified include high breast density (OR, 1.7), early age at first menstruation (OR, 2.2), postmenopausal status (OR, 2.0), fewer than three pregnancies (OR, 2.1), and fewer than two live births (OR, 1.7).
• Premenopausal women showed increased risk with high breast density (OR, 1.6), early menarche (OR, 2.6), low parity (OR, 2.3), hormone use (OR, 1.8), and inactivity (OR, 2.2).
• Postmenopausal women's risk was associated with breast density (OR, 2.0), early menarche (OR, 1.8), number of pregnancies (OR, 2.3), and number of live births (OR, 2.4).

Conclusions:

• Breast density, age at menarche, menopausal status, parity, and lifestyle factors like hormone use and physical activity are significantly associated with breast cancer in Vietnamese women.
• These findings highlight modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors that can inform public health interventions and clinical practice in Vietnam.