Developing a core risk factors set for assessment of breast cancer risk in Iranian females: A qualitative Delphi consensus.

Background: There have been several methods designed to assess the risk of breast cancer. But according to studies conducted in Iran, the risk to Iranian women could not be accurately calculated with current tools. The aim of this study was to obtain consensus regarding potential breast cancer risk factors in Iran. Methods: : A long list of risk factors identified from an integrative review of literature and specialist interviews (round 1) were used to design a questionnaire survey. In round 2 specialists were asked to rate the importance of each risk factor. Items considered very important after round 2 were carried out to the primary draft of core risk factors set and less important items were excluded. In round 3, respondents were asked to reprioritize moderate important risk factors. The items considered very important in round 3 must be included in core risk factors set. Results: : In first round 11 specialists were interviewed and a total of 119 items were obtained of the first round and results of integrative review of literature. 30 specialists (response rate 50%) prioritized risk factors of BC in round 2. 51 were carried forward to the round 3 for consensus. No consensus was reached on any of the risk factors that went into Round 3 (response rate 86.7%). Therefore, a list of risk factors containing 25 important risk factors for breast cancer were obtained. Conclusion: This study highlights the items experts feel would be most important to include in the clinical assessment of breast cancer risk in Iran. With the results of this study, it is possible to provide appropriate and usable tool for screening high risk women in primary health care in Iran.