Introduction. Several risk factors for breast cancer have been documented based on epidemiological studies conducted over the last several decades - familial history of breast cancer, particular gene mutations, early menarche, late menopause, late age at first childbirth, use of oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, absence of breastfeeding, alcohol use, smoking, obesity and physical inactivity.
Aim of the study. Register data on breast cancer risk factors among the Latvian population and analyze it in relation to age of diagnosis.
Materials and methods. This paper presents quantitative survey data collected from April 2010 to June 2011 at the Pauls Stradins Clinical University hospital from 150 patients undergoing breast cancer treatment.
Results. A small correlation could be seen between age and patient menarche (0.1541; p=0.0749), as well as menopause onset (0.1286; p<0.0001). Hormonal replacement did not show any correlation with age, yet hormonal contraceptives had a moderate correlation with a statistical significance (-0.4988; p=0.0001). Lifestyle risk factors had higher correlations with age of diagnosis than reproductive factors. A moderate correlation could be seen for age and smoking (-0.37289; p<0.0001). A similar moderate correlation existed for age and use of alcohol (-0.31095; p=0.0012). Our survey found that no significant correlation exists between age of diagnosis and number of pregnancies, number of births and number of abortions. We found no significant correlation between age and length of breast feeding.
Conclusions. From current available data gathered in our study it can be concluded that for the Latvian population breast cancer risk is more associated with lifestyle factors than reproductive
