Alcohol, Cigarette Smoking and Breast Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): J. Meara, K. McPherson, M. Roberts, L. Jones, M. Vessey
Primary Institution: University of Oxford Department of Community Medicine and General Practice
Hypothesis
What is the relationship between alcohol and cigarette smoking with breast cancer risk?
Conclusion
The study concludes that there is no proven relationship between alcohol consumption and breast cancer, and that biases in case selection may significantly affect smoking-related findings.
Supporting Evidence
- The hospital-based study showed a decreased risk of breast cancer with increasing amounts smoked.
- The screening study showed an increased risk of breast cancer with smoking.
- Neither study found an association between alcohol consumption and breast cancer.
- Bias in case selection may explain the conflicting results regarding smoking.
- Population-based studies generally suggest no relationship between smoking and breast cancer.
Takeaway
The study looked at how smoking and drinking might affect breast cancer risk, but found no clear link for alcohol and mixed results for smoking.
Methodology
Two case-control studies were conducted, one with hospital cases and controls, and another with screening cases and normal screenees, using matched pairs multiple logistic methods for analysis.
Potential Biases
Biases in subject selection may significantly affect the interpretation of results, especially for smoking.
Limitations
The results may be influenced by biases in case and control selection, particularly in hospital-based studies.
Participant Demographics
Married women aged 25-59 for the hospital study and 45-69 for the screening study.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.05 < P < 0.1
Confidence Interval
0.60-1.13 for smoking in hospital study; 1.16-7.25 for smoking in screening study
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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