Environmental and genetic risk factors of breast cancer in women: A brief review

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women in the world. After the skin, it is the second most common cancer in Iranian women. Thus, this study was designed to discuss and identify breast cancer risk factors in women. Methods: In this review article, four international databases (Medline/PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar) and two national databases (Scientific Information Database and MagIran) were searched in ۲۰۲۱. Thereafter, Persian and English papers referring to the risk factors of breast cancer were included. Results: Epidemiological studies in different countries have identified that the most common risk factor for breast cancer contain: premature menstruation, late menopause, age of first pregnancy, short-time breastfeeding, taking birth control pills, infertility, menopause, estrogen consumption in women, benign breast disease, inactivity and obesity, smoking and drinking alcohol; family history and genetic factors are also directly related to breast cancer. Also, with each delivery the risk of cancer is reduced. Conclusion: Various studies have shown the role of genetic, environmental and reproductive factors in breast cancer. Therefore, educating people to change their lifestyle to a healthy one as well as periodic mammography examination for women under the age of ۴۰ can be effective in early detection and control of this cancer.

کلیدواژه ها:

Neoplasm ، Breast ، Risk factor ، Epidemiology