Maternal factors and breast cancer risk among young women

The results from previous studies have provided evidence to support the hypothesised association between intrauterine oestrogen exposure and subsequent risk of breast cancer. Information has not been available to study this relationship for several perinatal factors thought to be related to pregnancy oestrogen levels. Data collected from the mothers of women in two population-based case-control studies of breast cancer in women under the age of 45 years (510 case mothers, 436 control mothers) who were diagnosed between 1983 and 1992 in three western Washington counties were used to investigate further the relationship between intrauterine oestrogen exposure and risk of breast cancer. A pregnancy weight gain of 25-34 pounds was associated with breast cancer risk (odds ratio [OR]=1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1, 2.0); however, women whose mothers gained 35 pounds or more were not at increased risk. Use of antiemetic medication in women with any nausea and vomiting (OR=2.9; 95% CI 1.1, 8.1) and use of diethylstilboestrol (DES) (OR= 2.3; 95% CI 0.8, 6.4) appeared to be positively associated with breast cancer risk. The results from this study provide Limited support for the hypothesis that in utero oestrogen exposure may be related to subsequent breast cancer risk among young women.