Interpretation of the vital statistics of breast cancer

Abstract

Examination of cross‐sectional and longitudinal age‐specific incidence and mortality rates for breast cancer in the United States and selected areas leads to 3 main findings: 1. Breast cancer incidence and mortality rise sharply during the reproductive years, then continue to rise postmenopausally but at a slower rate; 2. Breast cancer incidence prior to age 55 has increased about 45% since 1935, while above age 55 incidence has remained constant; and 3. There are marked racial and regional differences in breast cancer incidence. These facts suggest the hypothesis that the risk from breast cancer is related to the frequency and quality of ovarian function which are, in turn, related to environmental factors. The marked differences in breast cancer frequency between Japanese women and women of other nationalities suggest that genetic factors may also play a role.

The Influence of Immunosuppression and Sex Hormone Manipulation on Mammary Tumounrogensis in Rat

“…2, Group II), and confirms similar findings by Shay, Harris and Gruenstein (1960). This characteristic is also shared by human breast cancer, the incidence of which is significantly reduced by oophorectomy before the age of 40 (Feinlieb and Garrison, 1969). This study also suggests that the protective effect of oophorectomy is due to reduction of circulating oestrogen, as the carcinogenic efFect of D.M.B.A.…”

Differential response of T cells to an immunogen, a mitogen and a chemical carcinogen in a mouse model system

“…Several studies have shown oversaturation of cholesterol in cancer cells and low plasma cholesterol in malignancy . Therefore, a detailed study to understand the mechanism underlying the differential cholesterol homeostasis with immune cells vs tumor developing cells are needed to be explored in the future to target the therapeutic strategy of cancer.…”