Epidemiology based study on the risk factors of breast cancer research: the Bangladesh perspective

In 2016, an epidemiology study3 was conducted on breast cancer among the female patients in Bangladesh. The study indicated that 90 % respondents practice breastfeeding their baby. Around 56 % respondents had the parenchymal pattern of the breast in mammography. The study also revealed that less than 50% respondents had the history of disease on breast cancer, 25 % had the history of benign breast cancer and 2 % had the experiences to use radiation. Another study4 showed that knowledge about breast cancer screening was seemingly high, but only a few respondents were conversant with the diagnosis methods of breast cancer. Only 5 respondents had the idea about the required age and frequency for performing mammography. The study also reported that the minority of respondents (about 38%) knew the crucial role of nutritious food in lowering the risk. A group of researchers performed a hospital based epidemiology study at National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH) in Dhaka and identified physical inactivity, being menopause, positive family history of breast cancer, and history of induced abortion as significant risk factors.5 The study recommended longer duration of breastfeeding and special attention for breast cancer prevention.