Fatores protetivos e de risco do câncer de mama em mulheres atendidas no estado da Paraíba

Abstract

Introduction: In Northeastern Brazil, female breast cancer (BC) causes 10.75 deaths per 100,000 women. The region has the third highest death rate in Brazil. At the same time, the incidence of BC increases in the Northeast more than in other macroregions and for the triennium 2023-2025 it approaches 15,690 new cases. Previous studies carried out in Paraíba generated not only knowledge, but also new questions about risk and protective factors that age in the local population. The present study aimed to identify the protective and risk factors of BC in women treated in the state of Paraíba.. Methods: In the present case-control study, patients were recruited from a referral center for cancer treatment in the state of Paraíba. Data from 116 cases and 232 controls were obtained from medical records and from personal interviews conducted through a semi-structured questionnaire. To quantify associations between risk factors and BC, a logistic regression analysis was applied. The results were presented as odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and p-values from likelihood ratio tests. Results: Regression modeling indicated that obesity and overweight increased the overall risk of BC and the risk of all women. Family history among first-degree relatives also increased the risk. Ever smoking increased the overall risk of BC in postpartum, postmenopausal, and premenopausal women. Physical activity impaired the overall risk and the risk of postmenopausal women, presenting as a protective factor. Nulliparity increased the overall risk and the risk of premenopausal women. Women who gave birth to their first child at age <20 years and with a birth interval ≤10 years had a reduced risk of the disease. Conclusion: The present study indicated factors related to lifestyle, reproductive health, and family history that modified the risk of BC among women treated in the state of Paraíba. One of the major limitations of the present study was the small number of women. This made it impossible to answer the various questions raised in previous studies. Therefore, multicenter studies with larger groups of patients and controls should be performed to confirm the current findings and identify other risk factors and their respective interactions.