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

Abstract

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