Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Breast cancer in Iraq is associated with a unimodally distributed predominance of luminal 
type B over luminal type A surrogates from young to old age  
 
Version: 0 Date: 14 Oct 2016  
 
Reviewer: Khasraw Mustaffa  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
This is a well written manuscript describing patterns of breast cancer subtypes in Iraqi patients of 
Kurdis h and Arabic ethnicity.  
The use of IHC to define Luminal B status has its shortcomings but for the purpose  of this 
manuscript it should be acceptable. There is an observation that luminal B is more common than 
in Western countries, a pattern that has alr eady been described in North African and other 
Middle Eastern countries.  
There is a view that the higher rates of luminal B tumours might be related to the younger 
population of these countries while in the West people live longer and there are more women 
who can develop the Luminal A type breast cancer. Whether this is correct or not it deserves to 
be mentioned and commented on in the discussion. Also with  the possible increase in numbers 
of women with breast cancer factors such adopting a Western diet &/  or life style might be 
contributing and may be worthwhile to allude to in the discussion.  
There are some minor syntax and language issues that should be addressed e.g., page 4 line 47 
have been previously published instead of have been previous published , page 7 line 39 Kurdish 
or Arabic patients with ...instead of Kurdish or Arab breast cancers..  
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, p lease specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manusc ript or would you recommend an  
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects require further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I am able to assess the statistics  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Needs some language corrections before being published  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
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below.  If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
No competing interests  
 
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