Risk factors for breast cancer in young women by oestrogen receptor and progesterone receptor status
2003

Risk factors for breast cancer in young women

Sample size: 765 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): McCredie M R E, Dite G S, Southey M C, Venter D J, Giles G G, Hopper J L

Primary Institution: University of Melbourne

Hypothesis

There would be no difference in the profile of risk factors between breast cancer subtypes defined by joint ER/PR status in women under the age of 40.

Conclusion

The study found no evidence that the effects of major established risk factors differ for breast cancers defined by joint ER and PR status in young women.

Supporting Evidence

  • The study included 765 cases and 564 controls.
  • 71% of eligible cases and 66% of eligible controls agreed to participate.
  • ER/PR status was determined for 81% of participating cases.

Takeaway

The study looked at young women with breast cancer and found that the risk factors for different types of breast cancer were pretty much the same.

Methodology

The study used a population-based case–control–family design, recruiting women under 40 diagnosed with breast cancer and matched controls.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to exclusion of women of Asian descent and those with known BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.

Limitations

The study's findings may have limited statistical power to detect modest differences in risk factor profiles.

Participant Demographics

Women under 40 years of age, primarily non-Asian Australians.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.3

Confidence Interval

1.4–4.6

Statistical Significance

p=0.8

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj.bjc.6601293

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