Physical activity, early first delivery and residence as parameters for breast cancer prevention: an observational study.

PURPOSE

To determine the impact of physical activity, obesity, history of maternity, residence and socioeconomic status on the prevention of breast cancer (BC).

METHODS

We established a questionnaire in order to record several potential parameters associated with BC in women aged between 30 and 60 years. The parameters evaluated in the present study were physical activity (years and days per week), obesity, age of menarche, age of first delivery, breast feeding, family history of BC, vegetarian diet, residence and socioeconomic status.

RESULTS

A total of 120 women who worked in administrative jobs in large hospitals in Athens entered the study. Eleven of them had a history of BC. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed as independent risk variables for BC the following: family history of BC (p<0.001), absence of physical activity (p<0.001), first delivery after 35 years (p=0.011) and residence in city center (p=0.036).

CONCLUSION

According to our results, because women who have family history of BC, sedentary and delivery after 35 years have higher risk to develop BC, risk reduction methods for these groups may need to be identified and implemented. Further studies are needed for the confirmation of our results.