Environment and Breast Cancer: Science Review

Intake of conjugated linoleic acid, fat, and other fatty acids in relation to postmenopausal breast cancer: the Netherlands Cohort Study on Diet and Cancer
Voorrips, L. E., Brants, H. A., Kardinaal, A. F., Hiddink, G. J., van den Brandt, P. A., Goldbohm, R. A. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002. 76:4, 873-82.

Topic area
Diet
Diet
Study design
Prospective case-cohort
Prospective case-cohort
Funding agency
Other: Dutch Dairy Foundation for Nutrition and he
Other: Dutch Dairy Foundation for Nutrition and he

Study Participants
Number of Cases
941
941
Menopausal Status
The menopausal status of women included in this study is listed here.
Post menopausal
Number in Cohort
Subcohort: 1,598, cohort 62,573
Subcohort: 1,598, cohort 62,573
Country where study was conducted
Netherlands
Netherlands
Cohort participation rate
Not reported
Not reported
Participant selection: Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Criteria used to select participants in the study.
In: Women participating in the Netherlands Cohort Study; aged 55-69 years in 1986, originating from 204 municipalities with computerized population registeries
Ex: Women who reported prevalent cancer at baseline other than non-melanoma skin cancer, subjects without microscopically confirmed cancer, subjects with in situ carcinoma, and subjects with incomplete or inconsistent dietary data.
Comment about participation selection
Biennial follow-up
Biennial follow-up
Exposures investigated
Total fat; saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, transunsaturated, milk and milk products, whole milk and products
Total fat; saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, transunsaturated, milk and milk products, whole milk and products
How exposure was measured
Questionnaire, self-administered, FFQ
Questionnaire, self-administered, FFQ

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: 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 verus lowest quintile of intake, mean follow-up 6.3 years, latency 2 years
Adjusted RR with 95% CI, highest verus lowest quintile of intake, mean follow-up 6.3 years, latency 2 years
Strength of associations reported
Total fat: 1.16 (0.87-1.56), saturated fat: 1.40 (0.97-2.03); monounsaturated fat: 0.61 (0.38-0.96); polyunsaturated: 0.88 (0.65-1.21); trans-unsaturated fat: 1.30 (0.93-1.80); milk and milk products 0.91 (0.67 - 1.24); whole milk and products 0.90 (0.66 - 1.22)
Total fat: 1.16 (0.87-1.56), saturated fat: 1.40 (0.97-2.03); monounsaturated fat: 0.61 (0.38-0.96); polyunsaturated: 0.88 (0.65-1.21); trans-unsaturated fat: 1.30 (0.93-1.80); milk and milk products 0.91 (0.67 - 1.24); whole milk and products 0.90 (0.66 - 1.22)
Results Comments
No relation was observed between intake of energy, total fat, or polyunsaturated fat and breast cancer incidence. Intake of saturated fat showed a slightly positive non-significant association with breast cancer incidence. No association was observed between intake of linoleic acid and breast cancer incidence.
No relation was observed between intake of energy, total fat, or polyunsaturated fat and breast cancer incidence. Intake of saturated fat showed a slightly positive non-significant association with breast cancer incidence. No association was observed between intake of linoleic acid and breast cancer incidence.

Author address
Department of Nutritional Epidemiology, TNO Nutrition and Food Research, Zeist, Netherlands. voorrips@voeding.tno.nl
Department of Nutritional Epidemiology, TNO Nutrition and Food Research, Zeist, Netherlands. voorrips@voeding.tno.nl