Abuse victimization and risk of breast cancer in t

Authors: Lauren A Wise Julie R Palmer Deborah A Boggs Lucile L AdamsCampbell Lynn Rosenberg

Publish Date: 2011/02/13

Volume: 22, Issue: 4, Pages: 659-669

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Abstract

Few studies have examined the relation between abuse victimization and breast cancer and results have been inconclusive Using data from 35728 participants in the Black Women’s Health Study we conducted multivariable Cox regression to estimate incidence rate ratios IRRs and 95 confidence intervals CI for the association of abuse across the life span childhood adolescence and adulthood with breast cancer Incident breast cancer diagnoses were reported during 1995–2009 and abuse histories were reported in 2005 No associations were found between abuse victimization in either childhood or adolescence and breast cancer We found a weak positive association between abuse in adulthood and breast cancer IRR = 118 95 CI = 103–134 IRRs for physical abuse only sexual abuse only and both physical and sexual abuse in adulthood relative to no abuse were 128 95 CI = 109–149 096 95 CI = 076–120 and 122 95 CI = 100–149 respectively IRRs for low intermediate and high frequencies of physical abuse in adulthood relative to no abuse were 128 95 CI = 107–152 137 95 CI = 104–179 and 124 95 CI = 095–162 respectively Our data suggest an increased risk of breast cancer among AfricanAmerican women who reported physical abuse in adulthood but there was little evidence of a dose–response relation These results require confirmation in other studiesWe gratefully acknowledge the contributions of BWHS participants and staff We also wish to thank to Emily F Rothman ScD for providing feedback on the violence instrument used in our cohort This work was supported by the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health CA058420 Data on breast cancer cases were obtained from several state cancer registries AZ CA CO DE DC FL GA IL IN KY LA MD MA MI NJ NY NC OK PA SC TN TX VA and results do not necessarily represent their views

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