27 | J App Pharm 04(01): January, 2013. p 27-33 Rabia et al., 2013 Journal of Applied Pharmacy (ISSN 19204159); www.japharmacy.ca Original Research Article RISK FACTORS LEADING TO HIGH PREVALENCE OF BREAST CANCER Rabia Tariq, Sadia Huma, Marriam Zaka Butt, Fatima Amin Department of Pharmacy, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan ABSTRACT Breast cancer in women causes psychological and physical distress. It is the most commonly diagnosed female cancer in all cancers. Breast cancer is among the top 20 causes of deaths in Pakistan. It is believed that various factors such as gender, age, socioeconomic status, family history, physical activity, smoking, breastfeeding/lactation, no. of full term and incomplete pregnancies, hormonal and reproductive factors influence the incidence of breast cancer. A prospective as well as retrospective study was conducted on 100 patients in different hospitals of Lahore, aiming to evaluate risk factors leading to high prevalence of breast cancer in women. A questionnaire was designed to obtain patient history, patient complaint and management regarding disease. Females of all age groups were included in the study. The data collected was analyzed and presented in the form of graphs and tables. The results were derived and conclusion presented. Women with advanced age, having middle class family background, higher body mass index and a high ratio of incomplete pregnancies were at significantly increased risk of breast cancer. Obesity and the use of oral contraceptives are minor whereas family history, employment status, physical activity and smoking don’t serve as risk factors. The protective role of breastfeeding/lactation and full term pregnancies is suppressed and not very significant. Key Words: Breast Cancer, Risk Factors Corresponding Author: Rabia Tariq, Department of Pharmacy, Lahore College For Women University, Lahore, Pakistan. Tel.: +92 423-6824476, Email: rabia_tariqch@hotmail.com INTRODUCTION Cancer is one of those diseases that cause mental and physical anxiety for people. Breast cancer is a type of cancer that mainly affects women. Every one woman has breast cancer in nine. It causes mental stress for women. Breast cancer can be cured in early stages. 1 Breast cancer starts from the breast tissues. It is divided into two main types: Ductal and Lobular. Ductal cancer is most common type of breast cancer. It originates in that ducts which transfer milk to nipple from breast whereas lobular cancer occurs in the smaller lobules of the breast that are responsible for milk production. 2 Breast cancer in the early stages has no prominent symptom that’s why it is mostly detected in late stages. Symptoms of cancer in the early stage are lumped in breast that not hurt, size and shape changes and fluid discharge from the nipple. In late stages, the symptoms are breast and bone pain, ulcers of skin, swelling and loss of weight. 3 The tests that are used to diagnose breast cancer are mammography; ultrasound of the breast; breast biopsy and PET scan. 4 There are many factors that depend on the treatment of breast cancer such as stage of cancer, type of cancer and cancer sensitivity to some hormones.