Evaluating the association between breast cancer and second hand smoking in Tekirdag

Aim and objective The aim of the study was to determine if there any possible relationship between breast cancer and second hand smoking, with considering other potential factors. Methods Thirty cancer patients and sixty controls were selected among the women in the database of Cancer Early Diagnosis and Education Centers at Corlu and Suleymanpasa, Tekirdag. Controls were matched by age and location. After their verbal approval, they were questioned on the phone with a questionnaire. Crude odds ratios and adjusted odds ratios were calculated via SPSS. Results With 29 cancer patients (96.7%) and 52 controls (86.7%), in total there were 81 women enrolled. Smoking regularly at a point in lifetime rates were 40.4% for controls and 41.4% for cases. For controls and cases; their parents’ smoking rates at childhood were 67.3% and 65.5% respectively, and their partner’s smoking rates were 57.7% and 68.9%. Exposure to smoking at home rates were 73.1% and 62.1% in childhood and 59.6% and 75.8% in adult life, respectively. In analysis there were no significant association between breast cancer and smoking or second hand smoking. Breast cancer rates were high in those who had family history of breast cancer, not had any chronic disease, not had any abortus (induced or spontaneous), used oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy. Conclusions Possibly because of the high smoking and second hand smoking rates of both groups, we were not able to determine any significant relationship. This and our other results need to be further researched among Turkish women