RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was two fold: to identify gynecological characteristics that distinguish women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer from those at more advanced stages; to identify distinguishing characteristics between premenopausal and postmenopausal women diagnosed with the same stage. POPULATION AND METHOD: 186 incident cases diagnosed with breast cancer were identified out of the 685 patients who were seen to in 2000-2001. The variables to be studied were obtained by means of a specific questionnaire which collected data concerning reproductive characteristics and contraceptive types. RESULTS: Significant differences in the mean age were found, since the early-stage group was younger (57.01+/-12.82 vs. 65.06+/-15.11). Characteristic factors found in pre-menopausal women were: early menopause, they either had no children or a single child, no breastfeeding practice and a more extensive use of contraceptives. Postmenopausal women presented more advanced stages, more pregnancies and less abortions. CONCLUSIONS: By taking the obtained results into consideration, it would be recommendable to bring forward the age at which women are to be included in early detection programmes, and to conduct a follow-up of those women who present such factors to favour an earlier diagnosis of the disease.