Volume 25 , Issue 1 , June 2023 , Pages 23-32
Deman Ahmed Saeed 1 ; Anwar Kader Ibrahim Sheikha 2
1 Department of Adult Nursing, College of Nursing, University of Sulaimani, Sulaimaniyah, Iraq
2 Anwar Sheikha Medical City, Zargata Hill, Sulaimaniyah, Iraq
Background: Breast cancer is the commonest female malignancy that affects 1 in 20
globally, with one out of every eight women in the west being a victim of it. To our
knowledge, there is limited published data regarding the effect of risk factors on the
prevalence of Breast Cancer among Iraqi Kurdish women. Objectives: This study aims
to identify the risk factors that might affect most women Breast Cancer in our region.
Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 women
diagnosed with breast cancer at Hiwa Hematology/Oncology Hospital in the
Sulaimaniyah province, Iraqi, from February 14th, 2021 to June 1st, 2022. Risk factors
were studied in women who visited the Clinical Oncology Department. Results:
Patients' mean ± SD age at an early breast cancer detection was 47.33 ± 9.9 years. Most
patients (89.3%) had no smoking history, 50.7% were passive smokers, only 0.3% had a
history of alcohol consumption, 78% experienced anxiety, and 58% were physically
inactive. Marriage and gynecological history were not protective factors. Family history
of breast cancer was negative in 72.5% of patients; lactation in 75.5%, and several
children lactated (31.0%) had no protective role. Regarding dietary habits, daily
consumption of sweets (49.5%) and fat (45.2%) seemed to be risk factors. Red meat and
poultry (84.8%) with fast food (79.3%) >2 times weekly were particularly relevant.
However, daily consumption of fruits (80.7%) and vegetables (76.0%) seemed to have a
preventive role in breast cancer. Conclusions: Physical inactivity, passive smoking,
anxiety and dietary habits were significant risk factors for the development of breast
cancer among Iraqi Kurdish women. Actions aimed at enhancing physical activity and
controlling other modifiable risk factors seems to be essential to reduce these risks.