[September 07, 2006] Ethnic trends in breast cancer risk may signify need for targeted prevention strategies Tweet (Science Letter Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Ethnic trends in breast cancer risk may signify a need for more targeted prevention strategies. Scientists in the United States conducted a study "to examine the trends in the prevalence of breast cancer risk factors in relation to breast cancer incidence trends and to explore whether the changes in risk factors differed by ethnicity in Hawaii over a 25-year period." "We pooled 17 population-based epidemiological studies conducted in Hawaii between 1975 and 2001," reported G. Maskarinec and colleagues at the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii. "The study population of 82,295 women included subjects of Caucasian, Japanese, Native Hawaiian, Chinese, and Filipino ancestry. We computed age-adjusted prevalence estimates by ethnic group for 5-year time periods. Logistic regression was used to evaluate trends over time." The authors reported, "The prevalence of an early age at menarche, nulliparity, and parity of fewer than three children, but not that of a late age at first live birth, increased during the study period. Whereas current smoking decreased for all ethnicities over time, the age-adjusted prevalence of overweight, obesity, college education, and alcohol use increased." "Trends differed by ethnicity," the researchers noted. "For Native Hawaiians, the prevalence of overweight, obesity, alcohol use and nulliparity rose over time. For Japanese, the prevalence of overweight, early age at menarche, and having fewer than three children increased. Caucasians showed an increasing prevalence of overweight, obesity, college education, and nulliparity. In Filipina women, we observed changes in reproductive behavior and increasing obesity." The investigators concluded, "Despite a slowing trend for some breast cancer risk factors, the overall risk profile in this population may lead to further increases in breast cancer incidence. Different ethnic groups may benefit from specific prevention strategies." Maskarinec and colleagues published their study in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment (Trends of breast cancer incidence and risk factor prevalence over 25 years. Breast Cancer Res Treat, 2006;98(1):45-55). For additional information, contact G. Maskarinec, Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, 1236 Lauhala Street, Honolulu, HI, 96813, USA; E-mail: [email protected] Publisher contact information for the journal Breast Cancer Research and Treatment is: Springer, 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, USA. Keywords: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States, Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Risk Factors, Breast Carcinoma, Breast Cancer Incidence, Cancer Trends, Ethnic Differences, Women's Health. This article was prepared by Science Letter editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Science Letter via NewsRx.com. Copyright 2006 Science Letter via NewsRx.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]