Breast Cancer: Risk Factors: A Mini Review of Literature

Abstract

Breast cancer was considered to be one amongst the most commonly cancer disease in the world. Now it is considered to be the second cancer disease among women in India, with most of the affected population is in the urban areas. Breast cancer is seen mostly after the age of 40 years. According to the Cancer fact 2012, breast cancer is now seen to be among women aged from 35 years above. Many studies in the past have reported that due to lack of knowledge regarding breast cancer and its risk factors, women are diagnosed at the later stage of the disease and ultimately lead to increase morbidity and mortality. This review was conducted to identify the risk factors among women with breast cancer. Nine studies with a total of 12,076 participated in the study with 4,212 diagnosed with breast cancer were included in the review. The maximum and the minimum reported diagnosed for breast cancer among women are 67 and 18.73% respectively. The risk factors for breast cancer that are commonly seen among diagnosed women are increasing age 40 years and above, unmarried, age of menarche < 12 years, age at first delivery >30 years, did not give breast feeding and late menopause. The outcomes of these suggest; risk factors for breast cancer.