Risk Factors for Breast Cancer among women in the Mosul City/ Iraq: A Case-Control Study

Background: To assess the risk factors for breast cancer among the Iraqi women in the city of Mosul. Methods: A case- control study was conducted in Mosul City-Republic of Iraq for the period from 1 September 2018 to 30December 2018. Data were collected from 300 women who received a reliable and accurate diagnosis test of breast cancer. A questionnaire was constructed to obtain information about the risk factors for breast cancer which included (Age at menarche, age at marriage, age at conception, age at menopause, occupation, educational level, economic level, residency, number of live births, breast-feeding practice, use of contraceptives. The estimate multiple logistic regression analysis was performed in the SPSS to compute odds ratios (ORs) for the confounding between risk factors. Results: In socio-demographic variables, no significant differences were found among age marital status, and educational status. 40-49 age groups showed highest breast cancer patient (44.7%), where 45% healthy controls. Mean age of cases were 45 +/- 5.7 years and controls were 43.91 +/- 4.37 years. Significant risk was found with early marriage and early 1st pregnancy. Mean age of marriage among the cases was 17.99 +/- 5.97 years and among the controls was 18.91 +/- 4.95 years and mean age of 1st pregnancy among the cases was 19.44 +/- 4.93 years and among the controls was 20.88 +/- 4.64 years. Conclusion: It is recommended that the women should be educated about self-examination of the breast and, especially those who have risk factors like family history of the disease.