Cancer Control Research
1R03CA078155-01
Everson, Susan A.
BEHAVIORAL AND PHYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS IN BREAST CANCER
AbstractBreast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and second leading
cause of cancer death among women in the United States. While genetic,
hormonal, biologic, and reproductive risk factors are important, as many
as 75% of new cases occur in women with no known risk factors. Available
data suggest that behavioral and psychosocial factors may play a role in
breast cancer etiology and pathogenesis. A lack of well-designed
population-based studies precludes firm conclusions regarding these
associations, however. This proposal seek to utilize data from nearly 30
years of follow-up from the Alameda County Study, a population-based,
prospective study of 9,202 adults (4,994 women) in Alameda County, CA, to
identify behavioral and psychosocial factors that may be important in the
development and progression of breast cancer. Proposed analyses
specifically focus on the roles of physical activity, alcohol consumption,
social isolation, social networks, depression, satisfaction, life events,
and personal uncertainty in breast cancer risk. The Alameda County Study
has collected a broad range of data on behavioral, social, psychological,
and sociodemographic variables on a large sample of county residents in
1965, 1974, 1983, and 1994. Over 110,000 person-years of exposure
currently are available for female participants. Linkage to the CA Tumor
registry and the SEER Registry has enabled us to identify incident cases
of breast cancer, with accompanying details on staging, histology, and
treatments. This rich dataset, breadth of available information, and
linkage to an established tumor registry present a unique opportunity to
address important questions regarding associations between specific
behavioral and psychosocial factors and increased risk of breast cancer.
Results of these analyses will help clarify the potential etiologic impact
of these important characteristics and may contribute to the development
of new and more effective interventions for preventing the incidence and
progression of breast cancer.
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