[Importance of anthropometric parameters in breast cancer]

The study of 14 anthropometric findings and indices in a group of primary breast cancer patients with an operable stage of the disease and in the appropriate controls enabled revealing certain differences in the distribution of patients and healthy females with relation to levels of separate anthropometric tests. Some anthropometric findings and their definite numerical values were singled out with respect to which these differences were statistically reliable. The degree of a relatively higher risk of the disease was ascertained in corresponding values of separate indices. Of greatest importance for the increased relative risk of breast cancer were such anthropometric features as obesity (in the extreme age subgroups), asthenia and gynecomastia. With regard to these features the most valuable tests were as follows: Broca's formula, Brugsch index, chest circumference and the ratio of chest circumference to thigh circumference.