Exposure To Smokeless Form of Tobacco and Risk of Breast Cancer: A Case Control Study from Rural Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Introduction: Tobacco exposure has been associated with development of a variety of cancers and breast cancer is one of them. The study objective was to determine the strength of association between smokeless form of tobacco and breast cancer risk among the women residing in rural area of western Maharashtra, India. Methods: A case- control study was conducted in Satara district, India during year 2009-10 to 2010-11 among newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer and matched controls. Sample size includes a total of 434 participants enrolled from Krishna Hospital Karad. Descriptive and inferential statistics employed to determine the strength of association and statistical significance. Results: Highest proportion of breast cancer cases, [31.80%] were in age group 40-49 yrs with lowest age at the diagnosis of the disease was 25 years. Maximum proportions of cases, [63.59%], [71.42%] and [56.68%] were housewives, literate and from upper economic class. Out of total 217 cases, [58.99%] were exposed to smokeless form of tobacco and significantly associated with breast cancer [Odd’s -1.7, CI- 1- 2.1]. The frequency and duration of exposure to smokeless form of tobacco were significantly associated with breast cancer [Odd’s- 2.5, CI- 1.4-4.4], [Odd’s - 2.5, CI-1.4-4.6]. Conclusion: Study revealed smokeless form of tobacco is a risk factor for breast cancer among the women residing in rural Maharashtra.

Keywords

• Breast cancer
• smokeless tobacco
• risk
• rural habitations
• odd’s ratio