Environment and Breast Cancer: Science Review

Correlates of mammogram density in southwestern Native-American women
Roubidoux, M. A., Kaur, J. S., Griffith, K. A., Sloan, J., Wilson, C., Novotny, P., Lobell, M. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. 2003. 12:6, 552-8.

Topic area
Body size
Body size
Study design
Other: Retrospective review
Other: Retrospective review
Funding agency
NCI
NCI

Study Participants
Menopausal Status
Post menopausal
The menopausal status of women included in this study is listed here.
Pre menopausalPost menopausal
Number in Cohort
Cohort: 455 mammographies (144 pre) (311 post)
Cohort: 455 mammographies (144 pre) (311 post)
Cohort participation rate
Retention/participation exceeded 70% for exposed a
Retention/participation exceeded 70% for exposed a
Participant selection: Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Criteria used to select participants in the study.
In: women who had mammograms performed at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center Department of Radiology between 9/1/97 and 2/28/98; women without breast physical examination abnormalities
Ex: women who did not have weight or height measurements
Comment about participation selection
Strengths: anthropometric data was obtained from medical records; analyzed association between breast density and weight in a Native-American population; one of the only studies to analyze the association between breast density and diabetes Limitations: retrospective study; analyzed a population with a high mean BMI; nearly 25% of the sample had missing BMIs; subjective and semiquantitative classification scheme for analysis of mammogram density; did not use computerized methods to measure density; did not know the precise formulation of HRT taken by participants
Strengths: anthropometric data was obtained from medical records; analyzed association between breast density and weight in a Native-American population; one of the only studies to analyze the association between breast density and diabetes Limitations: retrospective study; analyzed a population with a high mean BMI; nearly 25% of the sample had missing BMIs; subjective and semiquantitative classification scheme for analysis of mammogram density; did not use computerized methods to measure density; did not know the precise formulation of HRT taken by participants
Exposures investigated
Weight
Weight
How exposure was measured
Medical record
Medical record
Breast cancer outcome investigated
Other: breast density
Other: breast density
Ethnic groups with separate analysis
If this study provided a separate analysis by ethnic or racial group, the groups are listed here.
Native American
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.
Adequately controlled
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
Effect modifiers: menopausal status (weight on the prevalence of high breast density)
Effect modifiers: menopausal status (weight on the prevalence of high breast density)
Results Comments
The odds of a high breast density score were decreased by 7.6% for each 5 kg increase in weight.
The odds of a high breast density score were decreased by 7.6% for each 5 kg increase in weight.

Author address
Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health Systems, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0326, USA. roubidou@umich.edu
Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health Systems, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0326, USA. roubidou@umich.edu