title: Case-control study of risk factors for breast cancer in Nigerian women: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the risk factors for breast cancer among women in Midwestern and Southeastern Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University of Benin Teaching hospital, Benin City and University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt in Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty one women with diagnosis of breast cancer and their age- and sex matched controls were included in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data was collected during a 30 minute period after obtaining written informed consent using interviewer-administered questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Parity > 4 (OR = 0.50, 95% Cl 0.17, 1.46) and duration of breast feeding > 60 months (OR = 0.58, 95% Cl 0.23, 1.48) were associated with reduced risk of breast cancer while birth order > 3 (OR = I.50, 95% Cl 0.25, 8.98), age at first full term pregnancy>20 years (OR = 2.50, 95% Cl 0.78, 7.97) and longer duration of reproductive period (OR = 1.25, 95% Cl 0.34, 4.66) were associated with increased risk of breast cancer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study has shown that high parity and long duration of breastfeeding are associated with reduced risk while high birth order and late age at first full-term pregnancy are associated with increased risk of breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, P.M.B. 1111 Benin City, Nigeria.
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Okobia
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Bunker
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Osime
authors.forename: E E O
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Uche
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001722:Birth Order; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001942:Breast Feeding; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008423:Maternal Age; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010298:Parity; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017584:Reproductive History; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors