Environment and Breast Cancer: Science Review

Opposing effects of dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids on mammary carcinogenesis: The Singapore Chinese Health Study
Gago-Dominguez, M., Yuan, J. M., Sun, C. L., Lee, H. P., Yu, M. C. Br J Cancer. 2003. 89:9, 1686-92.

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

Study Participants
Number of Cases
314
314
Menopausal Status
The menopausal status of women included in this study is listed here.
Post menopausal and premenopausal combined
Number in Cohort
Cohort 34,734
Cohort 34,734
Country where study was conducted
Singapore
Singapore
Cohort participation rate
More than 70%
More than 70%
Participant selection: Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Criteria used to select participants in the study.
In: Women 45-74 years from one of the two major dialect groups in Singapore, Hokkien and Cantonese and participating in the Singapore Chinese Health Study
Ex: Women who reported a history of cancer at baseline

Exposure Investigated
Exposures investigated
Fat (total, saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated)
Fat (total, saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated)
How exposure was measured
Questionnaire, in person, FFQ
Questionnaire, in person, FFQ
Exposure assessment comment
Similar diet among participant, narrow range of fat intake
Similar diet among participant, narrow range of fat intake

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.
Chinese
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: BMI, menopausal status
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, subgroups for N3-fatty acid with stratification for menopausal status, follow-up 2-7.7 years
Adjusted RR with 95%CI, highest versus lowest quartile of intake, subgroups for N3-fatty acid with stratification for menopausal status, follow-up 2-7.7 years
Strength of associations reported
Total fat: 0.94 (0.68-1.31); saturated fat: 0.92 (0.67-1.26); monounsaturated fat: 1.02 (0.73-1.43); polyunsaturated fat: 1.27 (0.92-1.74)
Total fat: 0.94 (0.68-1.31); saturated fat: 0.92 (0.67-1.26); monounsaturated fat: 1.02 (0.73-1.43); polyunsaturated fat: 1.27 (0.92-1.74)
Results Comments
No evidence of an association between breast cancer and total, saturated, monounsaturated, or polyunsaturated dietary fat intake.
No evidence of an association between breast cancer and total, saturated, monounsaturated, or polyunsaturated dietary fat intake.

Author address
USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, 1441 Eastlake Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9181, USA. mgago@usc.edu
USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, 1441 Eastlake Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9181, USA. mgago@usc.edu