Factors that promote the development of human breast cancer.

Thomas, David B.

doi:10.1289/ehp.8350209

Cited by 13 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 78 publications

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“…This hypothesis for humans is consistent with observations in laboratory animals by Ross et al (1983). The association between breast cancer and body size may, therefore, be indirect (Thomas, 1983).…”

Section: Anthropometry and Breast Cancermentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nutrition, body size, and breast cancer

Micozzi

1985

Am. J. Phys. Anthropol.

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Human epidemiologic and animal experimental evidence has suggested that excess intake of macronutrients (total calories, protein, fat) and deficient intake of micronutrients (p carotene, selenium) may be associated with increased incidence and decreased survival of breast cancer in women. The overall pattern of evidence, including migrant studies, has further suggested that dietary patterns in early life may be important to the long-term risk of breast cancer. Since cancer is currently thought to be a multistage process with a long latent period, early nutritional patterns which influence childhood growth and development may also influence the adult risk of cancer. Nutrition-mediated factors which may be associated with breast cancer risk include both anthropometric and reproductive variables. Enduring indicators of growth which can be measured in adults (e.g., stature, sitting height, frame size, lean body mass) may be reflective of early nutritional patterns which place women at increased risk of breast cancer. Anthropometric variables which may be related to adult nutritional patterns (e.g., absolute and relative fatness) are also associated with the risk of cancer in defined groups of women. Anthropometry may aid in the study of the relationship between breast cancer and the timing of nutritional excess, growth, menarche, and other risk factors. Other nutrition-related variables which may be associated with breast cancer include breast secretory activity, bowel function, and lactose tolerance. Recognition of the relationships among nutrition, body size, and breast cancer raises a new context for consideration of the adaptiveness of body size in human populations.Breast cancer, Anthropometry, Growth, Nutrition, MenThis review presents an explanatory model for the worldwide distribution of breast cancer, providing evidence for the role of nutrition and body size as risk factors for breast cancer. Evidence is provided in the context of nutritional, nutrition-mediated, and nutrition-related factors.Breast cancer has historically been the most frequent cancer in women and the leading cause of cancer death in women in the United States. The precise etiology of breast cancer is less well understood than that of many other cancers, and specific major risk factors have been difficult to identify. Kelsey (1979) has summarized the currently considered risk factors associated with breast cancer in humans. A few risk factors for breast cancer are associated with significant relative risks (magnitude of risk differential greater than 4.0), including increasing age, history of cancer in the opposite breast, history of bilateral premenopausal breast cancer in a firstdegree relative, and residence from an early age in North America or Northern Europe (as compared to Africa or Asia). Other risk factors are associated with small but significant relative risks (magnitude of risk differentials between 1.0 and 3.9). These include early age at menarche, late age at birth of first child, late age at menopause, single mar...

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Section: Anthropometry and Breast Cancermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moolgavkar et al (1980) and Thomas (1983) have argued, however, that hormones per se are unlikely to be of primary importance in determining overall risk in populations, although they may influence the epidemiology of breast cancer through their actions on growth in non-neoplastic breast tissue.…”

Section: Endogenous Hormonesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrition, body size, and breast cancer

Micozzi

1985

Am. J. Phys. Anthropol.

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“…Notably, an extended duration of breastfeeding consistently emerges as a robust predictor of breast cancer risk across studies. Beyond temporary or long-term changes in pituitary and ovarian hormones 59 60 61 62 . Noteworthy among these factors is transforming growth factor-beta, which exhibits hormonally regulated negative effects on breast cancer cells 63 64 .…”

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beyond Milk and Nurture: Breastfeeding’s Powerful Impact on Breast Cancer

Mustafa,

Sarfraz,

Saleem

et al. 2024

Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd

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Breast cancer (BC) stands as a global concern, given its high incidence and impact on women’s mortality. This complex disease has roots in various risk factors, some modifiable and others not. Understanding and identifying these factors can be instrumental in both preventing BC and improving survival rates. Remarkably, women’s reproductive behaviors have emerged as critical determinants of BC susceptibility. Numerous studies have shed light on how aspects including age of menarche, first pregnancy and menopause along with number of pregnancies, hormone replacement therapies, can influence one’s risk of developing BC. Furthermore, the act of breastfeeding and its duration have shown an inverse relationship with BC risk. This review delves into the biological and molecular mechanisms associated with breastfeeding that contribute to BC protection. It highlights the role of endocrine processes triggered by suckling stimulation, the gradual onset of lactational amenorrhea, delayed weaning, reduced lifetime menstrual cycles, chromosomal repair mechanisms, and immunological events throughout the lactation cycle. These insights provide a potential explanation for the protective effects conferred by breastfeeding against breast carcinomas.

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“…Miller [96] argued that an increased intake of nutrients in early life would be related to larger body size, rather than obesity per se. The association between breast cancer and body size may, therefore, be indirect [97], In many populations the average body size has in creased, and there has been a trend towards earlier sexual maturation [44,60]. The evidence that improved nutri tion is an important factor in the decline in the age at menarche is largely circumstantial.…”

Section: Growth Menarche and Later Outcomesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional Consequences from Varying Patterns of Growth and Maturation during Adolescence

Micozzi¹

1993

Horm Res

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Measurement of the growth of children among different populations has been important in assessing health and nutritional status. It is also useful in predicting functional consequences and long-term outcomes in the adult population. Childhood and adolescent growth patterns have been related to life expectancy as well as to the development of specific diseases such as coronary heart disease, diabetes and cancer (breast, ovary, prostate and pancreas). Childhood and adolescent growth has also been indirectly related to adult obesity. While these indirect observations do not suggest strategies for clinical intervention during childhood, they provide a framework for considerations of the influence of adolescent growth and maturation on the risk of chronic diseases, and for the application of anthropometry to research on diet and chronic disease.

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Factors that promote the development of human breast cancer.

Cited by 13 publications

References 78 publications

Nutrition, body size, and breast cancer

Nutrition, body size, and breast cancer

Beyond Milk and Nurture: Breastfeeding’s Powerful Impact on Breast Cancer

Functional Consequences from Varying Patterns of Growth and Maturation during Adolescence

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