A Meta-Analysis of Induced Abortion, Alcohol Consumption, and Smoking Triggering Breast Cancer Risk among Women from Developed and Least Developed Countries

BACKGROUND: The most prominent form of cancer in women is breast cancer, and modifiable lifestyle risk factors, including smoking, alcohol consumption, and induced abortion, can all contribute significantly to this disease. OBJECTIVES: This study's primary purpose was to assess the prevalence of breast cancer among women in developed and developing countries and the association between three modifiable hazard factors (induced abortion, smoking behavior, and alcohol use) and breast cancer. METHODS: This study performed a systematic literature database review up to September 21, 2021. We employed meta-analytic tools such as the random effects model, forest plot, and subgroup analysis to conduct the research. Additionally, we conducted a sensitivity analysis to assess the influence of outliers. RESULTS: According to the random effects model, smoker women have a higher risk of developing breast cancer from different countries (OR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.08–1.97). In the case of induced abortion, the pooled estimate (OR = 1.25; 95% CI: 1.01–1.53) indicated a significant link between abortion and breast cancer. Subgroup analysis revealed that smoking substantially influences breast cancer in developing and developed countries. Breast cancer was more common among women who smoked in developed countries than in developing nations. CONCLUSION: The observed findings give sufficient support for the hypothesis that smoking and abortion have a significant influence on breast cancer in different nations. Health organizations should individually design comprehensive scientific plans to raise awareness about the risks of abortion and smoking in developed and developing countries.