Risk factors for breast cancer characterized by the estrogen receptor alpha A908G (K303R) mutation
2007

Risk Factors for Breast Cancer with ESR1 A908G Mutation

Sample size: 653 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Conway Kathleen, Parrish Eloise, Edmiston Sharon N, Tolbert Dawn, Tse Chiu-Kit, Moorman Patricia, Newman Beth, Millikan Robert C

Primary Institution: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Hypothesis

Are hormonal and reproductive factors associated with breast cancer characterized by the ESR1 A908G mutation?

Conclusion

The study suggests that oral contraceptives may interact with the ESR1 A908G mutant receptor to drive the development of some breast tumors.

Supporting Evidence

  • ESR1 A908G mutation-positive breast cancer was significantly associated with a first-degree family history of breast cancer.
  • Longer duration of oral contraceptive use was suggested to be associated with ESR1 A908G mutation-positive breast cancer.
  • Mutation-negative breast cancer was associated with younger age at menarche and greater total estimated years of ovarian function.

Takeaway

This study found that using birth control pills for a long time might increase the risk of a certain type of breast cancer that has a specific mutation.

Methodology

The study evaluated risk factors for invasive breast cancer based on the presence of the ESR1 A908G mutation in a population-based case-control study.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the small sample size of mutation-positive cases.

Limitations

The study is limited by the small number of mutation-positive breast tumors identified.

Participant Demographics

The study included younger and older white and African-American women in North Carolina.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.02

Confidence Interval

95% CI = 1.15 to 6.28

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/bcr1731

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