EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF BREAST CANCER AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS IN ARDABIL CITY (2011-2022)

Background & Aims: Breast cancer remains the most prevalent malignancy, the leading cause of cancerrelated mortality, and a significant public health challenge among women worldwide.This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and contributing factors of breast cancer in Ardabil city during 2011-2022. Materials & Methods:This cross-sectional analytical study examined all breast cancer cases identified in Ardabil County between 2011-2022.Primary data were extracted from medical records of patients initially diagnosed at Imam Khomeini Educational-Therapeutic Center.Supplementary information was collected using a researcher-designed checklist encompassing >40 demographic, clinical, lifestyle, and environmental variables from health center records.Data analysis was performed using SPSS-18, employing descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, SD) and analytical tests (Pearson correlation, logistic regression).Results: The annual incidence averaged 55 cases during the study period.Age-adjusted incidence rates were 14.3 and 15.3 per 100,000 women in 2011 and 2022, respectively.Patients' mean age was 53.6 years, with >99% being female and >96% married.Parity ranged from 0-11 children (mean: 4.5).Multivariate analysis identified two significant predictive factors: age >50 years (p<0.05) and exclusive breastfeeding duration <1 year (p<0.05),while other variables showed no significant association. Conclusion:The incidence of breast cancer in Ardabil appears lower than national rates.Among risk factors, only advanced age and short breastfeeding duration demonstrated significant predictive value.We recommend: 1) Enhancing cancer registry systems with standardized risk factor documentation, 2) Establishing efficient referral networks between treatment centers and public health departments, and 3) Implementing continuous professional education programs for healthcare providers to improve case detection and data completeness.