Risk Factors for Benign Breast Disease

Benign breast disease (BBD) is a common cause of hospital visit. In young adults, benign breast conditions surpass cancer as a cause of symptoms related to the breast. However, breast symptoms may be associated with significant distress and may impose diagnostic difficulties. Moreover, certain pathological entities of benign breast conditions are well known to increase the risk of breast cancer. Identification of modifiable risk factors associated with symptomatic breast disorders has several potential benefits. Modification of such factors may help decrease patients' distress, hospital visits and indirectly decrease the risk of cancer. the available data point to the possible association of several environmental factors with symptomatic BBD. Most of the available information points to an association of BBD with anthropometric features, growth pattern, family history of breast conditions and dietary consumption. Substantial evidence are however lacking and further studies are strongly required to better characterize the risk factors of the condition. In this study, the investigators will systematically collect epidemiological, developmental and clinical data in young patients presenting with breast complaints. The association with disease incidence, pattern and histology will be examined.