ASSOCIATION OF BODY MASS INDEX AND SERUM ADIPOCYTOKINES WITH BREAST CANCER RISK IN EGYPTIAN PREMENOPAUSAL FEMALES IN ALEXANDRIA

Objective: To analyze the association between obesity and breast cancer risk among premenopausal females in Alexandria, Egypt. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 30 newly diagnosed, histologically-confirmed breast cancer patients before surgery and 30 age- and menstrual status-matched healthy controls. Standardized questionnaires concerning age at presentation, age at menarche, parity, body mass index (BMI), electromagnetic radiation (EMR) exposure, lactation and oral contraceptive intake were completed by the same researcher. Serum levels of leptin and adiponectin were assayed simultaneously. Results: Univariate analysis showed that EMR exposure, age at presentation 30 years, nulliparity, artificial lactation and increased BMI were significantly associated with breast cancer risk (p 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that EMR exposure (p= 0.003) and age at presentation 30 years (p= 0.02) both were significant independent risk factors. Conclusion: EMR exposure and female age 30 years are the most important risk factors in predicting breast cancer in Egyptian premenopausal females so we recommend them to do periodic breast self-examination specially during the fourth decade of life and to avoid overexposure to EMR.