Environment and Breast Cancer: Science Review

Dietary fat and breast cancer in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study
Jones, D. Y., Schatzkin, A., Green, S. B., Block, G., Brinton, L. A., Ziegler, R. G., Hoover, R., Taylor, P. R. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1987. 79:3, 465-71.

Topic area
Diet
Diet
Study design
Prospective cohort
Prospective cohort
Funding agency
Not reported
Not reported

Study Participants
Menopausal Status
The menopausal status of women included in this study is listed here.
Post menopausal and premenopausal combined
Number in Cohort
Cohort 5,485
Cohort 5,485
Cohort participation rate
Not reported
Not reported
Participant selection: Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Criteria used to select participants in the study.
In: Women aged 25-74 years at the time of their examination for NHANES I (1971-1975)
Ex: Women with inadequate or unreliable baseline dietary data, women pregnant at the time or within 3 months prior to baseline, women who were breast-feeding, and women with prevalent breast cancer at baseline. Cancer cases were identified through hospital records or death certificates
Comment about participation selection
Small cohort
Small cohort

Exposure Investigated
Exposures investigated
Total fat, saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat
Total fat, saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat
How exposure was measured
Questionnaire, in person
Questionnaire, in person
Exposure assessment comment
Questionnaire: 24 hours recall data
Questionnaire: 24 hours recall data

Statistical Analysis
Breast cancer outcome investigated
Primary breast cancer
Primary breast cancer
Ethnic groups with separate analysis
If this study provided a separate analysis by ethnic or racial group, the groups are listed here.
No
Confounders considered
Other breast cancer risk factors, such as family history, age at first birth, and hormone replacement therapy use, that were taken into account in the study.
Not considered: Parity, race, alcohol consumption
Genetic characterization included
If the study analyzed relationships between environmental factors and inherited genetic variations, this field will be marked “Yes.” “No”, if not.
No
Description of major analysis
Adjusted RR with 95% CI, highest versus lowest quartile of intake, mean follow-up 10 years
Adjusted RR with 95% CI, highest versus lowest quartile of intake, mean follow-up 10 years
Strength of associations reported
Total fat: 0.34 (0.16 - 0.73); saturated fat: 0.29 (0.12 - 0.67; monounsaturated fat: 0.59 (0.30 - 1.13); polyunsaturated fat: 0.73 (0.39 - 1.36)
Total fat: 0.34 (0.16 - 0.73); saturated fat: 0.29 (0.12 - 0.67; monounsaturated fat: 0.59 (0.30 - 1.13); polyunsaturated fat: 0.73 (0.39 - 1.36)
Results Comments
No significant difference in mean intake of various dietary fat observed between women who developed breast cancer and those who did not.
No significant difference in mean intake of various dietary fat observed between women who developed breast cancer and those who did not.
