Impact of lifestyle, familial history and environmental factors on breast cancer development among 80 women in Calabar Nigeria

Risk Factors for Breast Cancer in Pakistani Women: A Review of Current Evidence

The most reported malignancy in women of Pakistan is breast cancer. About one in nine females suffers from this disease, that contributes largely to mortality. The burden of the disease here is much more than in any other country of South Asia, with such salient features as earlier age of onset and late-stage presentation. This paper aimed to synthesize evidence from recent studies conducted in Pakistan on risk factors for breast cancer. Lifestyle determinants such as obesity, physically inactive or sedentary behavior, and unhealthy dietary patterns prove to be common and strongly associated with high risk. Genetic predisposition, particularly BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, plays a key role in increasing susceptibility among high-risk women. Additionally, reproductive factors such as early menarche, late menopause, nulliparity, and limited breastfeeding have been recognized as important contributors. In addition to urban pollution and dietary contaminants, environmental exposure also increases the risk; vitamin D deficiency could compound the disease further. Diagnosis gets late͏ and results get worse due to socioeconomic͏ and cultural barriers, low awareness, stigma, and low access to screening facilities. When compared with the regional population and even the global population, it can be seen that Pakistani women face some unique sociocultural challenges that make them more vulnerable. This review article demonstrates the immediate need for specific public health interventions, better genetic counseling infrastructure, and culturally appropriate mass awareness campaigns to lessen the breast cancer burden at a national level. Identifying key risk factors and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI)-driven technologies can improve prevention strategies and facilitate early detection.

Family History among Breast Cancer Patients Attending the National Cancer Centre in Benghazi - Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is a type of cancer that develops in the cells of the breast. It is the most common cancer diagnosed in women worldwide, although it can also occur in men. Family history is a major risk factor for breast cancer. Familial breast cancer, defined by the clustering of cases within a pedigree, accounts for roughly 20% to 30% of all diagnoses, while high-penetrance germline mutations in genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 contribute to 5% to 10% of the total burden. Aim: To determine the percentage of family history of breast cancer among patients attending the National Cancer Centre of Benghazi. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling of all patients with files during 2023. Results: A total of 124 female patients, of whom 34% were aged 46 to 55 and 28% aged 36 to 45. The mean age of patients was 51.8 ±11.6, the minimum age was 31, and the maximum age was 81. 55% had a family history of breast cancer. Conclusion: This study highlights the significant presence of family history among breast cancer patients attending the National Cancer Centre of Benghazi. More than half of the patients (55%) reported a positive family history of breast cancer, suggesting that hereditary factors may play an important role in the occurrence of the disease among this population. These results emphasise the importance of increasing awareness about family history as a major risk factor for breast cancer and highlight the need for improved screening, early detection programs, and genetic counselling for women with a positive family history to reduce the burden of the disease.

Reproductive Risk Factors and Their Association with Breast Cancer in Women of Central India

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide and represents a major public health challenge in India. Reproductive factors influence cumulative estrogen exposure and may significantly affect breast cancer risk. Understanding these associations is important for identifying high-risk women and developing preventive strategies.Aim: To evaluate reproductive risk factors and their association with breast cancer among women attending a tertiary care center in Central India.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at Bundelkhand Medical College, Sagar, over 18 months. A total of 170 women were enrolled, including 85 histopathologically confirmed breast cancer cases and 85 age-matched controls without breast malignancy. Data regarding age at menarche, age at first childbirth, parity, breastfeeding duration, menopausal status, age at menopause, and family history were collected and analyzed.Results: Early menarche (<12 years), late age at first childbirth (>30 years), nulliparity, shorter duration of breastfeeding (<12 months), and late menopause (>50 years) were significantly associated with breast cancer (p<0.05). Women with a family history of breast cancer had a significantly higher risk of disease (OR=3.2, p=0.002). Multivariate analysis identified late age at first childbirth and short breastfeeding duration as independent predictors of breast cancer.Conclusion: Several reproductive factors are significantly associated with breast cancer risk among women in Central India. Promotion of breastfeeding and identification of women with adverse reproductive profiles may facilitate early screening and risk reduction strategies.

The influence of genetic factors on the development of breast cancer with emphasis on nursing care

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women, representing a significant public health issue due to its high morbidity and mortality rates. Its etiology is multifactorial, involving hormonal, environmental, and behavioral factors, as well as—importantly—genetic factors linked to hereditary predisposition. Alterations in genes such as BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, HER-2/neu, and CYP3A4 are associated with increased susceptibility to the disease, contributing to uncontrolled cell growth and tumor progression. Identifying these genetic alterations facilitates early diagnosis, the screening of high-risk individuals, and the adoption of more effective therapeutic strategies. In this context, nursing plays an essential role in health promotion, prevention, screening, early diagnosis, health education, and the comprehensive care of women affected by the disease. This study is a narrative literature review based on an analysis of scientific articles from databases and journals, aiming to examine the influence of genetic factors on breast cancer development and the implications for nursing care. Evidence shows that the interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental factors is a key determinant of breast carcinogenesis, underscoring the importance of understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms to improve prevention and care strategies. The study concludes that nurses play a fundamental role in the early identification of risk factors, patient guidance, support during treatment, and the implementation of actions that contribute to better clinical outcomes and quality of life.

Birth cohort differences in reproductive and lifestyle breast cancer risk factors among women in the Nigerian breast cancer study

Association of parity and age at menarche with molecular subtypes of invasive breast cancer

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy among women worldwide and remains a major public health concern. Reproductive factors, including parity and age at menarche, influence cumulative lifetime estrogen exposure and may contribute to the biological characteristics of breast cancer. However, evidence regarding their association with molecular subtypes of invasive breast cancer remains limited, particularly in Indonesia. Purpose: To determine the association between parity and age at menarche with the molecular subtypes of invasive breast cancer among patients treated. Methods: This analytic observational study employed a cross-sectional design using secondary data from medical records of 125 patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2025. Participants were selected using random sampling based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The independent variables were parity and age at menarche, while the dependent variable was the molecular subtype of invasive breast cancer determined by immunohistochemistry. Univariate analysis was used to describe participant characteristics, and bivariate analysis was performed using the Chi-square test. The strength of the associations was measured using Odds Ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical significance was established at p<0.05. Results: Most participants had a normal-to-late age at menarche (60.0%) and were multiparous or grand multiparous (52.0%). Luminal B was the predominant molecular subtype (32.0%), followed by Luminal A (27.2%), HER2 (22.4%), and Triple-Negative (18.4%). A significant association was observed between parity and molecular subtype (p=0.003; OR=0.282; 95% CI=0.119–0.672). Age at menarche was also significantly associated with molecular subtype (p=0.002; OR=0.229; 95% CI=0.087–0.606). Women with early menarche and nulliparity or primiparity were more likely to present with non-Luminal A molecular subtypes. Conclusion: Parity and age at menarche were significantly associated with the molecular subtypes of invasive breast cancer. Early menarche and low parity were more frequently associated with aggressive non-Luminal A molecular subtypes, highlighting the importance of reproductive history in breast cancer risk assessment and individualized management.