A BREAST-CANCER CASE-CONTROL STUDY IN GIRONA, SPAIN - ENDOCRINE, FAMILIAL AND LIFE-STYLE FACTORS

This study was designed to explore risk factors for breast cancer with emphasis on the detection of clinical markers of the hormonal imbalan ce during the perimenarche. Three hundred and thirty women diagnosed w ith breast cancer and 346 population controls were identified and inte rviewed in Girona, Spain between 1986 and 89. Cases were more likely t han controls to have had long menstrual periods in the first 5 years a fter menarche [odds ratio (OR) = 3.0], to experience menopause at a la te age (OR = 1.5) and to report acne during adolescence (OR = 1.6). Fa mily history of breast cancer was associated with an increased risk (O R = 2.3). Cases reported a lower use of drug treatments for anxiety an d sleep disorders than controls. Moderate alcohol drinkers and smokers were at lower risk for breast cancer. No statistically significant as sociation with breast cancer was observed for number of children, age at last pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, hormonal treatment after me nopause and weight perception during the teenage years. Hormonal chang es in the years following menarche may be relevant to breast cancer ri sk. The roles of menstrual period length and acne during adolescence s hould be further explored.