Pregnancy Hormone Levels and Breast Cancer Incidence
Author Information
Author(s): Lipworth L, Hsieh C-Ce, Wide L, Ekbom A, Yu S-Z, Yu G-P, Xu B, Hellerstein S, Carlstrom K, Trichopoulos D, Adami H-O
Primary Institution: Department of Epidemiology and Center for Cancer Prevention, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
Hypothesis
Differences in pregnancy hormone levels may contribute to the geographical variation in breast cancer incidence.
Conclusion
Pregnant women in Shanghai had higher levels of certain hormones compared to those in Boston, which may relate to the lower breast cancer incidence in Shanghai.
Supporting Evidence
- Pregnant women in Shanghai had higher levels of oestradiol, oestriol, prolactin, progesterone, human growth hormone, albumin, and sex hormone-binding globulin compared to those in Boston.
- The study included a total of 638 pregnant women from two different geographical locations.
Takeaway
This study looked at pregnant women in two different cities and found that the hormones in their bodies might be linked to how often breast cancer happens there.
Methodology
Pregnancy hormone levels were measured in maternal blood at weeks 16 and 27 of gestation in two populations.
Limitations
Further research is needed to identify lifestyle or other exogenous determinants of pregnancy hormone levels.
Participant Demographics
304 pregnant Caucasian women in Boston and 334 pregnant Chinese women in Shanghai.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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