Breast cancer in Australian women under the age of 40

Abstract

Objectives: A case-control-family study of breast cancer in women under the age of 40 was carried out in Melbourne anti Sydney, Australia, from 1992 to 1995 to determine the risk factors for these women. Subjects included 467 incident cases identified by state cancer registries and 408 population- based controls. Methods: All participants completed a structured risk-factor questionnaire and family pedigree during an in-person interview. Where possible, cancers in first- and second-degree relatives were verified. Results: Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the strongest risk factor for breast cancer was a family history of the disease - having at least one affected first-degree..