Environment and Breast Cancer: Science Review


Evidence From Humans
 
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Dietary fat, fat subtypes, and breast cancer in postmenopausal women: a prospective cohort study
Velie, E., Kulldorff, M., Schairer, C., Block, G., Albanes, D., Schatzkin, A. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2000. 92:10, 833-9.
Study design
Prospective cohort
Study Participants
Menopausal Status
The menopausal status of women included in this study is listed here.
Post menopausal
Number in Cohort
Cohort 40,022
Participant selection: Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Criteria used to select participants in the study.
In: Women participating in the Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project (BCDDP) follow up Cohort Study Ex: Premenopausal at the third stage of the study, diagnosed with breast cancer prior to or at the time of completion of the second phase questionnaire
Exposure Investigated
Exposures investigated
Fat: total, saturated, unsaturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated
How exposure was measured
Questionnaire, self-administered, FFQ
Exposure assessment comment
FFQ: 60 food items
Statistical Analysis
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: Race
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 quintile of intake; subgroup for women with no history of benign breast disease; association for cross product of low and high fat and low and high vegetables and fruits intake. Follow-up: average 5.3 years
Strength of associations reported
Total fat: 1.07 (0.86-1.32); saturated fat: 1.12 (0.87-1.45); unsaturated fat: 1.13 (0.88-1.45); monounsaturated: 0.88 (0.62-1.25); polyunsaturated: 1.05 (0.82-1.34)
Results Comments
Little association between total fat or any fat subtype and breast cancer risk in the cohort as a whole.
Author address
Nutritional Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. veliee@mail.nih.gov