Family History among Breast Cancer Patients Attending the National Cancer Centre in Benghazi - Cross-Sectional Study.

Evaluation of Risk Factors in Patients with Triple Negative Breast Cancer in a Tertiary Hospital

Introduction: Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is known to have high recurrence, poor prognosis and has limited treatment options. This study was designed to evaluate the risk factors associated with patients with breast cancer. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) from January 2023 to December 2023 where 116 patients were analyzed which included 58 diagnosed cases of TNBC and 58 non-TNBC cases. Both non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors were recorded. Result: Non-modifiable risk factors, such as family history of breast cancer (22.41% vs. 0%) were significantly associated with TNBC patients while there was no history of family history of breast cancer among non-TNBC respondents. Among TNBC respondents who had the family history of breast cancer underwent gene amplification test and results showed that 84.6% had BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutation. Other non-modifiable risk factors such as early menarche and early menopause were not significantly associated with TNBC. Modifiable risk factor, such as moderate intensity physical activity had shown significant risk for TNBC (96.6% and 82.8%). However, only 6.9% TNBC respondents had obesity while 17.2% were obese in non TNBC respondents and 62.1% had history of OCP in TNBC while 48.3% respondents had history of OCP in non TNBC patients. No respondents had history of smoking and alcohol. Conclusion: Family history of breast cancer, gene mutation and moderate physical activity are found significant as risk factors for TNBC. Journal of Surgical Sciences 2025;29(1): 24-29

Breast Cancer Awareness in a High-Risk Indian Population: A Study on First-Degree Female Relatives.

BACKGROUND Female first-degree relatives of women diagnosed with breast cancer have higher risk of developing the disease. This study aims to estimate the awareness, heightened risk perception, and screening practices in this high-risk population of women. METHODS A cross-sectional study was undertaken from August 2023 to January 2024 in a tertiary cancer centre of Eastern India. First-degree female relatives of breast cancer patients, aged ≥18 years, who provided informed consent, were interviewed face-to-face using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire, followed by data analysis. RESULTS Among 307 women enrolled, 109 (35.5%) participants perceived being at higher risk for developing breast cancer. While breast lump was the most commonly (93.8%) known warning sign, few acknowledged other signs. Only 42.3% and 26.7% respectively, knew that previous breast cancer diagnosis and having blood relation with the patient were known risk factors. Most were oblivious to other potential risks. Despite wide agreement (92.8%) on benefits of early detection, only 26.7% believed screening to be essential. Only 120 (39.1%) participants had ever performed a breast self-examination [BSE] (regular 5.9%) and 15 (4.9%) had ever undergone a clinical breast examination [CBE] (regular 0.3%). Only 32 (10.4%) had heard of mammography, and only 3 (0.9%) had ever undergone mammography. Logistic regression analysis predicted the likelihood of screening practices. Regarding diagnosis, only 18.6% knew that biopsy was the best method for confirmation. Regarding treatment, the majority were informed about chemotherapy (91.86%), surgery (91.2%) and radiotherapy (64.2%) but few knew about hormonal therapy (14%) and targeted therapy (0.98%). Composite awareness score (0-37) was calculated where only 3.3% were high scores (25-37), mostly urban graduates. CONCLUSION Our study exposes the lack of awareness regarding breast cancer risks and prevention among this high-risk group of Indian women. Focused interventions in health policy need to be strategized to mitigate this problem.

A Decade of Hereditary Cancer Genetic Testing Results in Asian Indian population: Retrospective Study.

Genetic profiling of healthy family members of breast and ovarian cancer patients in Estonia

Background Genetic testing for likely pathogenic/pathogenic variants (PV) in BRCA1, BRCA2, and other cancer-associated genes plays a critical role in the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of breast and ovarian cancer (BCOC). Extending testing to healthy family members (HFM) of affected individuals enables early prevention strategies and timely referrals for enhanced screening, thereby improving cancer risk management. This study aimed to characterize the demographic profile and genetic findings among HFMs of BCOC patients in Estonia within routine clinical practice. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 3,472 HFMs who underwent genetic testing. Demographic data were collected, and the presence of PVs was assessed. Statistical comparisons were made between individuals with and without known familial PVs, and between male and female participants, using descriptive statistics and proportion comparisons. Results Of the 3,472 HFMs tested, 87.6% were female and 12.4% male, with a mean age of 41.1 ± 13.0 years. Notably, 78.6% were younger than 51 years, the typical age for initiating standard screening. PVs were identified in 683 individuals (19.7%). Among those with a known familial PV (n = 1,009), 41.8% were carriers, compared to 8.0% among those without a known familial PV (n = 2,408). Males were more likely to be tested when a familial PV was known (26.6%) than when it was not (6.6%), and 34.0% of tested males were PV carriers. PVs were found in 23 different genes, with BRCA1/2 accounting for 58.4% of all PVs, followed by ATM, BRIP1, CHEK2, and PALB2. Conclusion The findings highlight the value of genetic testing in identifying at-risk individuals among HFMs of BCOC patients. The predominance of BRCA1/2 variants and the significant detection rate among younger individuals underscore the importance of early testing. The expansion of HFM testing in Estonia reflects increased public awareness and clinical integration of genetic risk assessment in cancer prevention strategies.

Impact of lifestyle, familial history and environmental factors on breast cancer development among 80 women in Calabar Nigeria

The results of the study indicated that lifestyle, environmental, and familial history factors did not have a significant impact on the development of breast cancer among the participants, as the associated probability values were greater than the level of significance for all the three factors.

Reproductive Risk Factors and Their Association with Breast Cancer in Women of Central India

Several reproductive factors are significantly associated with breast cancer risk among women in Central India and promotion of breastfeeding and identification of women with adverse reproductive profiles may facilitate early screening and risk reduction strategies.