Non-communicable diseases: protective factors for breast cancer: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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PSM · Non-communicable diseases: protective factors for breast cancer

Sample item

A woman asks which reproductive factor is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer. Which should the doctor mention?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Early first full-term pregnancy with prolonged lactation

Early first full-term pregnancy and prolonged breastfeeding reduce lifetime exposure to oestrogen and are protective. Early menarche, late menopause and nulliparity lengthen oestrogen exposure and increase risk. These associations support breastfeeding promotion as part of cancer prevention.

Option by option

  • A. Late menopause

    Late menopause prolongs oestrogen exposure and raises the risk.

  • B. Nulliparity

    Nulliparity is a recognised risk factor for breast cancer.

  • C. Early first full-term pregnancy with prolonged lactation (correct)

    Correct. Early first pregnancy and prolonged lactation lower the risk of breast cancer.

  • D. Early menarche

    Early menarche increases the number of ovulatory cycles and the risk.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is C, Early first full-term pregnancy with prolonged lactation. Early first full-term pregnancy and prolonged breastfeeding reduce lifetime exposure to oestrogen and are protective.

Why is "Late menopause" not the answer?

Late menopause prolongs oestrogen exposure and raises the risk.

Why is "Nulliparity" not the answer?

Nulliparity is a recognised risk factor for breast cancer.

Why is "Early menarche" not the answer?

Early menarche increases the number of ovulatory cycles and the risk.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Non-communicable diseases: protective factors for breast cancer in PSM. Early menarche, late menopause and nulliparity lengthen oestrogen exposure and increase risk. These associations support breastfeeding promotion as part of cancer prevention.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Non-communicable diseases: protective factors for breast cancer?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.