## 3 Results
### Baseline Characteristics and Exposure to Risk Factors
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l l l l} \hline  & \multicolumn{2}{l}{**Group A Healthy Subjects with a**} & \multicolumn{2}{l}{**Group B Subjects**} \\  & \multicolumn{2}{l}{**Family History of Breast Cancer**} & \multicolumn{2}{l}{**with Cancer**} \\  & \multicolumn{2}{l}{**(n = 473)**} & \multicolumn{2}{l}{**(n = 916)**} & \multicolumn{2}{l}{_p_-**Value**} \\  & \multicolumn{2}{l}{**N (\%)**} & \multicolumn{2}{l}{**N (\%)**} \\ \hline \multicolumn{4}{l}{**Are you in the age of menopause?**} \\ \(<\)45 & & & \\ No & 212 (99.1) & 148 (79.1) & \\ Yes & 2 (0.9) & 39 (20.9) & \(<\)0.001 *** \\ \(\geq\)45 & & & \\ No & 183 (75.3) & 323 (45.2) & \(<\)0.001 *** \\ Yes & 60 (24.7) & 391 (54.8) & \\ Missing & 16 (3.4) & 15 (1.6) & \\ \hline \multicolumn{4}{l}{**Indicate the age at menopause**} \\ \(<\)45 & & & \\ Range & 39–41 & 33–44 & \\ Median & 40.00 & 39.00 & 0.71 \\ STD & 1.41 & 2.93 & \\ \(\geq\)45 & & & \\ Range & 30–59 & 33–66 & \\ Median & 50.00 & 50.00 & 0.12 \\ STD & 5.10 & 4.47 & \\ \hline \multicolumn{4}{l}{**Contraceptives assumption**} \\ \(<\)45 & & & \\ No & 189 (88.3) & 135 (72.2) & \(<\)0.001 *** \\ Yes & 25 (11.7) & 52 (27.8) & \\ \(\geq\)45 & & & \\ No & 224 (92.2) & 592 (82.9) & \\ Yes & 19 (7.8) & 122 (17.1) & \(<\)0.001 *** \\ Missing & 16 (3.4) & 15 (1.6) & \\ \hline \multicolumn{4}{l}{**Hormonal stimulation for assisted**} \\ \(\mbox{\bf reproduction}\) & & & \\ \(<\)45 & & & \\ No & 211 (98.3) & 178 (95.2) & 0.05 * \\ Yes & 3 (1.4) & 9 (4.8) & \\ \(\geq\)45 & & 242 (99.6) & 700 (98) & \\ No & 1 (0.4) & 114 (2) & 0.98 \\ \(\mbox{\bf Missing}\) & 16 (3.4) & 15 (1.6) & \\ \hline \multicolumn{4}{l}{**Hormonal replacement therapy**} \\ \(<\)45 & & & \\ No & 212 (99.1) & 172 (92) & \(<\)0.001 *** \\ Yes & 2 (0.9) & 15 (8) & \\ \(\geq\)45 & & & \\ No & 241 (99.2) & 668 (93.6) & \\ Yes & 2 (0.8) & 46 (6.4) & \(<\)0.001 *** \\ Missing & 16 (3.4) & 15 (1.6) & \\ \hline \multicolumn{4}{l}{* \(p<0.05\); *** \(p<0.001\).} \\ \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 2: _Cont._The average age at which menstruation began and the age of menopause showed no difference between the groups. However, Group B reported more women in menopause compared to Group A (\(p<0.001\)). There was no great difference in the number of pregnancies between the groups. Group B more frequently reported breastfeeding their children (42.2% vs. 15% under 45 years old and 52.1% vs. 25.9 over 45 years old, \(p<0.001\)). A similar duration of breastfeeding was found between the two groups. Regarding contraceptive usage, a higher percentage of the healthy subjects reported using contraceptives compared to the affected group (11.7% vs. 27.8% for under 45 years old and 7.8% vs. 17.1% for over 45 years old, \(p<0.001\)). Group B also reported a slightly higher hormonal stimulation for assisted reproduction (PMA) compared to the healthy group (\(p=0.05\)). A significant difference was noted in the hormonal replacement therapy usage, with Group A being less likely to have used this therapy compared to the affected group (\(p<0.001\)). The genetic status of the participants, focusing on the outcomes of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, was assessed for subjects who underwent blood sampling in adherence with the criteria for conducting genetic testing (Table 3). Positive mutation statuses were reported in 41% (n = 194) of t Group A and in a lower percentage of 12.6% (n = 115) within the affected group. Also, VUSs were observed in 1.7% (n = 8) of the healthy group, contrasting with 5.5% (n = 50) in Group B (\(p<0.001\)). The specific mutation analysis revealed that 58.4% of the healthy subjects and 45.4% of the affected group had BRCA1 mutations, while BRCA2 mutations were identified in 41% of Group A and 52.7% of the affected group; a small fraction (0.5% vs. 1.8%) had mutations in both BRCA1 and BRCA2 (\(p<0.001\)).