Risk factors for breast cancer in Iran: a case-control study

BACKGROUND: Iranian breast cancer patients are relatively younger than their Western counterparts. The objective of the present study was to investigate risk factors for breast cancer in Iranian women. METHOD: A case-control study was conducted from April 1997 to April 1998 in Tehran, Iran. Demographical data and risk factor related information were collected using a short structured questionnaire. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were derived from logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: In all, 286 women with breast cancer and 249 control women were interviewed. In multivariate analysis, only marital status (never married: OR 4.24, 95% CI 1.70-10.57 [P = 0.002]; widowed/divorced: OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.05-2.68 [P = 0.03]) and family history (positive family history of breast cancer: OR 2.95, 95% CI 1.15-7.59 [P = 0.02]) were associated with significantly increased risk for breast cancer. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study suggest that family history and marital status may have an impact on the incidence of breast cancer in Iranian women.