Epidemiology of minimal breast cancer
L. A. Brinton, R. Hoover and J. F. Fraumeni Jr
A case-control study conducted within the Breast Cancer Detection
Demonstration Project allowed comparison of epidemiologic factors for
benign breast diseases (n = 1,404), in situ cancer (n = 199), small (less
than or equal to 1 cm) invasive cancer (n = 210), and larger invasive
cancer (n = 788). Control subjects consisted of program participants who
were not recommended for breast biopsy. Relationships were similar for
small and larger invasive tumors, both showing associations with family
history of breast cancer, age at first live birth, history of bilateral
oophorectomoy, and obesity. In situ cancer was affected by family history
and age at first childbirth but not by oophorectomy or obesity. These
findings support the notion that "minimal" breast cancer is indeed cancer.
In addition, the results suggest that hormonal influences early in life may
initiate the carcinogenic process, while those that operate later may
enhance the progression from in situ to invasive disease.
