Ca. Adebamowo et Oo. Adekunle, Case-controlled study of the epidemiological risk factors for breast cancer in Nigeria, BR J SURG, 86(5), 1999, pp. 665-668
Background: The incidence of breast cancer is increasing worldwide, more ra
pidly in societies that hitherto enjoyed a low incidence of the disease, su
ch as most African countries. Most of the epidemiological data on breast ca
ncer from Africa have been retrospective studies with propensity for bias.
Methods: This was a case-controlled study of 250 consecutive patients with
breast cancer diagnosed between April 1992 and December 1995. An age- and s
ex-matched control group of patients with non-oncological and non-endocrine
diseases was compared.
Results: The peak age incidence of breast cancer in the sample studied was
43 years. There was a statistically significant difference in the height an
d weight of the patients compared with the controls. Patients also tended t
o be older at first pregnancy and at first lactation, and had a higher mean
number of pregnancies. The patients also tended to be of an early birth or
der, to have lactated less often, to have used contraceptives and to have a
bused alcohol compared with the controls.
Conclusion: The incidence of breast cancer in this environment is increasin
g. This is partly a result of the changing demographic profile, acquisition
of 'western' lifestyle, and the changing socioeconomic profile of the coun
try.