Effects of Reproductive Factors on Risk of Breast Cancer: A Literature Review

Breast cancer is the leading women’s cancer worldwide. However, there are geographical considerabledifferences with high rates of disease in North America and North Europe and relatively low rates in Africa andAsia. This article reviews the effects of reproductive factors on risk of breast cancer : early menarche, nulliparityor late age at first birth, late menopause, as well as hormonal factors. Knowing risk factors of breast cancercould significantly contribute to an improved prevention of this cancer. Furthermore, this review aimed tohighlight potentially controversial conditions in the Asian countries compared to other parts of the world whichcould in the future improve early prevention of breast cancer in Asian women.