ASSESSING THE DIETARY PATTERNS AND BREAST CANCER RISKS AMONG CHILDBEARING AGED WOMEN IN IYAMHO COMMUNITY, EDO STATE

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the breast. It can start in one or both breasts. Cancer starts when cells begin to grow out of control. Breast cancer occurs almost entirely in women, but men can get breast cancer, too. It’s important to understand that most breast lumps are benign and not cancer (malignant) . Non-cancer breast tumors are abnormal growths, but they do not spread outside of the breast. They are not life threatening, but some types of benign breast lumps can increase a woman's risk of getting breast cancer. Established factors for breast cancer development are age at menarche, age at menopause, age at first full-term pregnancy, breastfeeding and alcohol consumption at all ages. Several studies have looked at possible linkages between single nutrient intake as well as foods or dietary patterns and breast cancer. The general aim of the study is to assess the dietary patterns and breast cancer risks among child bearing age women in Iyamho Community, Edo State. Convenience sampling method was used to select 60 childbearing aged women. Questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents and the data was analyzed using statistical methods. The major findings of the result work shows a fair and good dietary pattern practiced by Childbearing aged women in Iyamho community, Edo state which has no association with breast cancer. Interventions aimed at social and behavior change should primarily target the gaps in practice highlighted by the study. Special attention should be focused on improving good dietary pattern practices. Appropriate educational intervention that addresses the gap in knowledge as highlighted in the study, to corroborate the health information these women receive from the hospital is imperative. Keywords; Dietary patterns, breast cancer, risks, diets, childbearing aged.