Breast Cancer Risk Screening Program Factors Among Participants 1

ABSTRACT-To examine whether the usual risk indicators for breast cancer apply to individuals participating in screening programs, data were obtained by mailed questionnaire from 405 breast cancer patients identified during the first 2 years of operation of the Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project and from a sample of 1,156 normal screenees (response rate = 88%). Nearly all of the recognized risk factors were seen in this population. The relative risk (RR) of breast cancer was 3.9 among women whose mothers were also affected (P<0.01). In addition, the relative risk was increased for women reporting early menarche, late menopause, nulliparity, late age when first child was born, and excessive weight. The relative risk was not elevated in women with a prior breast biopsy (RR=0.8) but was excessive for those with more than one biopsy (RR = 2.0). No association with thyroid medications or menopausal hormone