Increased Risk of Breast Cancer in Multiparous and Lactating Women in Pakistan: A Paradigm Shift?

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women world wide (Parkin and Whelan, 2000). A rapid rise in annual incidence rate of breast cancer has been observed between 1975-1990 in Asian and African than North American and European women (Sasco, 2001). The published data from Karachi Cancer Registry, the reported incidence of breast cancer was 34.6% and observed as the most common cancer among Pakistani women compared to other Asian countries (Bhurgri, 2004). High rates of breast cancer in developed countries are associated with increase prevalence of known risk factor like early menarche, nulliparity or low parity, late age at first or any birth and late menopause (Pike et al., 1983). The higher parity, earlier age at first pregnancy and breast feeding for longer duration might account for relatively lower incidence of breast cancer in developing countries (Lane-Claypon, 1926; Beral, 2003). However the recent data show a higher proportion of early onset breast cancer in developing countries as compared to the developed world (Parkin and Whelan, 2000). Furthermore data show