A CASE-CONTROL STUDY OF CARCINOMA BREAST AMONG WOMEN : AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL RISK FACTOR STUDY

A hospital based case-control study of breast cancer was carried out during January to November 1991 at Command Hospital Southern Command, Pune. Ninety six cases of female breast cancer and an equal number of matched controls were studied. It was found that age at menopause and age at first birth had no significant (p > 0.05) association with the risk of breast cancer. A significant association was found between attainment of menarche before the age of 12 years and development of breast cancer (p < 0.01). A positive history of breast cancer in first degree relatives was also associated with an increased risk of breast cancer (p < 0.05). Body anthropometry was measured in terms of absolute body weight (in kg) and waist to hip ratio showed a positive association. Body weight of more than 55 kg (p < 0.01) and WHR more than 0.86 (p < 0.01) showed a significant risk.