Breast Cancer
Women's Interview Study of Health (WISH), Case-Control Study of Breast Cancer Among Younger Women
A population-based case-control study of breast cancer was undertaken to address a number of etiologic hypotheses best addressed among younger women, including effects on risk of oral contraceptive usage, dietary and physical activity patterns early in life, and prenatal factors. The study was conducted in three different geographic areas: Atlanta, New Jersey, and Seattle. Controls were identified through random digit dialing, although one site also employed a series of women identified through a complex area survey sampling technique. The majority of the subjects were younger than 45 years of age, although the age range was extended at one site to 55 years to allow a broader perspective on several issues. Detailed interviews and anthropometric measurements were undertaken. Pre-operative blood samples were obtained at one site from early stage cases and controls. More information, Louise Brinton.
The BREAST Stamp Project
Investigators in DCEG’s Hormonal and Reproductive Epidemiology Branch are currently collaborating with extramural colleagues in NCI’s Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium at the University of Vermont, the University of California at San Francisco, and in NCI’s Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, to enroll participants into the Breast Radiology Evaluation and Study of Tissues (or “BREAST”) Stamp Project. Recruitment of women ages 40-65 years who have been clinically referred to radiologically-guided breast biopsy began in Fall 2007. The BREAST Stamp Project aims to characterize the radiologic, histologic, molecular, and biochemical features of dense breast tissue and to understand how the microenvironment of dense breasts promotes neoplastic transformation of the breast epithelium. Risk factor data and biological specimens (blood, buccal cells, tissue fluids, and tissue) required to discover mechanisms and biomarkers that link high mammographic density (as measured quantitatively using computerized methods) to breast cancer risk are being collected from study participants. More information, Gretchen Gierach.
BCDDP Follow-Up Study
The Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project Follow-up Study involves approximately 64,000 women who were participants in the Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project, a 5-year screening program conducted between 1973 and 1980 at 29 centers throughout the United States. The follow-up study began in 1980 and follow-up continued through 2005. Information on cancer diagnoses, benign breast procedures, and exposure to established and hypothesized cancer risk factors has been ascertained through questionnaires administered over the course of the follow-up study. Researchers are analyzing exogenous hormones, lifestyle factors, and other risk factors for breast, ovarian, endometrial, and colorectal cancers. More information, Gretchen Gierach.
Case-Control Study in Poland
We are conducting a population-based study of breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancer in two major cities in Poland, Warsaw and Lodz. We are planning to enroll about 2,850 breast cancer cases, 450 ovarian cancer cases, 450 endometrial cancer cases and 2,850 controls during a 3-year period, starting in February 2000. Data collection includes a personal interview, anthopometric measurements, physical activity monitors, and collection of biological specimens including cryopreserved whole blood, serum, plasma, buffy coat, urine, paraffin tissue blocks, and snap frozen tissue samples. Major areas of interest are the relationship of risk to genetic polymorphisms, physical activity, body size, active and passive smoking, alcohol and occupational exposures. The study will also evaluate the influence of genetic factors on the effects of risk factors of breast cancer, ovarian, and endometrial cancer such as reproductive and hormone related factors and obesity. More information, Montserrat García-Closas.
The Collaborative Breast Cancer Study in the U.S.
We are collaborating with extramural investigators to collect buccal cell samples from about 5,000 cases and 5,000 controls participating in an extramural population-based case-control study of breast cancer in the states of Wisconsin, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The primary aim of this collaboration is to evaluate the influence of genetic polymorphisms on environmental risk factors for breast cancer. The study will also evaluate the risk of major breast cancer genes such a BRCA1 and BRCA2. More information, Montserrat García-Closas.
Male Breast Cancer Pooling Project
The etiology of male breast cancer has been difficult to clarify, given its relative rarity. Most previous studies have been of case-control designs, raising questions about the influence of recall biases. The identification of risk factors through prospective analyses is needed, although it is difficult to assemble sufficient numbers of cases in any individual study. A consortial approach is therefore underway, in which data from a number of studies will be pooled to derive sufficient power to fully explore the role of a variety of potential risk factors. Cohorts with biologic material collected prior to disease onset will be especially valuable for clarifying biologic mechanisms underlying identified risk factors. Of specific interest, given our current knowledge of male breast cancers, is the assessment of endogenous hormones and genetic markers. Questionnaire data and biologic samples (sera, DNA) are being sought for contribution to this consortial effort. This study is a valuable resource for adding to our knowledge of the etiology of male breast cancers. More information, Louise Brinton.
