Factors associated with risk of breast cancer and persistence of symptoms in women with breast problems.

: Risk factors in breast cancer were analysed in a series of 293 women who were first seen at the Surgical Outpatient Department of Savonlinna Central Hospital in 1982-1983 for breast problems and were alive and willing to participate in a control examination and interview 4-5 years later. In 1986 and 1987 the patients were examined clinically and underwent mammography and interview. They were divided into three groups: 1) 49 patients with breast cancer in 1982 and 1983, 2) 49 with breast symptoms after primary treatment of benign disease, and 3) 195 patients without breast symptoms after primary treatment of benign disease. The groups were compared in terms of 18 suggested risk factors for breast cancer. Two factors were significantly associated with breast cancer (compared with all benign breast diseases): higher age of the patient and higher age at first delivery. Use of contraceptives was significantly associated with the presence of breast symptoms after treatment of benign breast disease (as compared with the absence of symptoms) (RR = 1.70 P less than 0.001). Hysterectomy and/or oophorectomy was significantly associated with the absence of breast symptoms among patients with benign breast disease (RR = 0.76, P less than 0.05). Our results suggest that symptoms after treatment of benign breast disease are associated with the levels of female sex hormones.