Health officials report that 80 percent of breast cancer sufferers are the first in the family to be afflicted with the condition.

“A positive family history of breast cancer is only reported in 20 percent of the cases. Having a positive family history makes women more vulnerable to the disease,” a member of the 2nd breast cancer prevention congress, Nasrin-al-sadat Alavi said.

She added that age and menopause are other factors influencing and increasing the risk of the condition.

Alavi suggested informing all women, regardless of their family history, that they are prone to the disease and should therefore undergo regular screening tests (self-examination and mammography) in order to help diagnose the condition in its early stages.

She said that although there is no scientific evidence linking the use of oral contraceptives to breast cancer women with an underlying history of breast diseases should not take these pills.

Alavi noted that the number of breast cancer sufferers in the world stands at one million and two thousand individuals, adding that about seven to ten thousand cases are annually diagnosed with the condition in Iran.

The 2nd congress of breast cancer prevention will be held on Dec. 29 and 30, 2008, in the Iranian capital of Tehran.

PKH/HGH