Dv. Schapira et al., VARIATION IN BODY-FAT DISTRIBUTION AND BREAST-CANCER RISK IN THE FAMILIES OF PATIENTS WITH BREAST-CANCER AND CONTROL FAMILIES, Cancer, 71(9), 1993, pp. 2764-2768
Background. The pattern of body fat distribution in women has been cor
related with the risk of developing breast and endometrial cancer. The
authors determined whether body fat distribution varied between first
-degree relatives of patients with breast cancer and in cancer-free fa
milies by comparing the body fat distribution of first-degree relative
s of patients with breast cancer with age and Quetelet Index-matched c
ontrols. Methods. Fifty-six first-degree relatives of newly diagnosed
patients with breast cancer were compared with 56 controls (non-cancer
family members) matched for age and Quetelet Index and were studied f
or variation in body fat distribution. Anthropometric measurements wer
e taken for the abdomen, thigh, suprailiac, subscapular, biceps, and t
riceps skinfold thickness; waist and hip circumference; weight; and he
ight. The distribution of body measurements and derived ratios in both
case and control family members were compared using the Student t tes
t. Results. A significant variation in body fat distribution occurred
among first-degree relatives in breast cancer and control families. In
families with a history of breast cancer, first-degree family members
were found to have significantly greater waist:hip ratio (P < 0.001)
compared with controls without family history matched for age and Quet
elet Index. Other variables indicating upper body fat localization, su
ch as abdomen and suprailiac skinfold were significantly greater in fa
mily members of patients with breast cancer compared with controls. Co
nclusions. A marked variation occurred in body fat localization among
first-degree relatives of patients with breast cancer and in cancer-fr
ee families. This finding implies a variation in breast cancer risk in
these families. Identifying family members with upper body fat distri
bution in breast cancer families would allow targeting of these indivi
duals for energetic screening and risk factor reduction interventions.