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Impact of menstrual and reproductive factors on breast cancer risk in Tunisia: a case–control study

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Abstract

This report examined the relationship between menstrual and reproductive factors and breast cancer risk. The case–control study was conducted on 400 women with histological confirmed breast cancer operated during the 2006–2009 period at Farhat Hached University Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia, and 400 cancer-free controls, aged 25–75 years. The menstrual and reproductive history was assessed using a structured questionnaire. Odds ratios (ORs), 95 % confidence intervals (CI) and a full confounding assessment, included in this analysis, were derived using logistic regression. A positive family history of breast cancer was associated with a significantly increased risk of breast cancer (OR = 5.15, 95 % CI 1.48–17.94). Significant risk reduction was found with later age at menarche (P = 0.02). There was an insignificant increase in risk with later age at menopause (≥51 years; OR = 1.87), later age at first live birth (≥26 years; OR = 1.76) and nulliparous women compared to parous women (OR = 2.35). An insignificant decrease in risk was observed with increasing parity number (≥3 delivery; OR = 0.86). A significantly reduced risk of breast cancer was found for those women whose lifetime duration of breastfeeding was 73–108 months and for those who breastfed for ≥109 months (P = 0.00). Our findings suggest that age at menarche and breastfeeding history have great effects on breast cancer risk among Tunisian women.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the research unit ‘‘oncogénétique clinique’’ Medicine College, Sousse, Tunisia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Oncology, CHU Farhat Hached, 4000, Sousse, Tunisia

    Awatef Msolly, Olfa Gharbi & Slim Ben Ahmed

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  1. Awatef Msolly
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  2. Olfa Gharbi
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  3. Slim Ben Ahmed
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Correspondence to Awatef Msolly.

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Msolly, A., Gharbi, O. & Ben Ahmed, S. Impact of menstrual and reproductive factors on breast cancer risk in Tunisia: a case–control study. Med Oncol 30, 480 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-013-0480-4

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