AbstractsEducation Research & Administration

A Description of BMI and the Incidence of Breast Cancer in the Premenopausal Woman

by Sue A. Carter




Institution: Walsh University
Department: Nursing
Degree: DNP
Year: 2015
Keywords: Health Care; Health; Health Education; Nursing; breast cancer; obesity; premenopausal; retrospective study; Health Belief Model
Record ID: 2062165
Full text PDF: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=walsh1429279507


Abstract

Breast cancer is a serious problem worldwide, with more than 200,000 new diagnoses and over 50,000 deaths each year as a result of the disease (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2013). In the United States, it ranks second only to lung cancer as the leading cause of death due to cancer for women (CDC, 2013). Studies show a number of risk factors for breast cancer that are not in our control, however, multiple studies have shown a positive correlation with higher BMI's and the incidence of breast cancer in the postmenopausal woman (World Cancer Research Fund, 2010). Few studies have been done to determine if there is a relationship of BMI to breast cancer rates in the premenopausal woman (Cheraghi, Poorolajal, Hashem, Esmailasab, & Irani, 2012). The prevalence of breast cancer in the United States provides an opportunity for investigating if a relationship exists between obesity and premenopausal breast cancer. The knowledge gained from this research could be valuable for healthcare providers in the disease prevention education for patients. The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a relationship between obesity, defined as a BMI greater than 29, and breast cancer in premenopausal women.This retrospective study was conducted at a regional healthcare center specializing in cancer research in Southwestern Ohio. Criteria for inclusion was being a woman between the ages of 18-49 with a diagnosis of breast cancer in the past 6 years. Results of the study showed an association between elevated BMI and the incidence of breast cancer in the premenopausal woman. Limitations included a small geographical area, lack of racial and economic diversity related to the location of the facility, and was limited to the data collected by the facility.