Circulating sex hormones and breast cancer risk factors in postmenopausal women: Reanalysis of 13 studies

T. J. Key; P. N. Appleby; G. K. Reeves; A. W. Roddam; K. J. Helzlsouer; A. J. Alberg; D. E. Rollison; J. F. Dorgan; L. A. Brinton; K. Overvad; R. Kaaks; A. Trichopoulou; F. Clavel-Chapelon; S. Panico; E. J. Duell; P. H.M. Peeters; S. Rinaldi; I. S. Fentiman; M. Dowsett; J. Manjer; P. Lenner; G. Hallmans; L. Baglietto; D. R. English; G. G. Giles; J. L. Hopper; G. Severi; H. A. Morris; S. E. Hankinson; S. S. Tworoger; K. Koenig; A. Zeleniuch-Jacquotte; A. A. Arslan; P. Toniolo; R. E. Shore; V. Krogh; A. Micheli; F. Berrino; E. Barrett-Connor; G. A. Laughlin; M. Kabuto; S. Akiba; R. G. Stevens; K. Neriishi; C. E. Land; J. A. Cauley; L. Y. Lui; S. R. Cummings; M. J. Gunter; T. E. Rohan; H. D. Strickler

doi:10.1038/bjc.2011.254

Circulating sex hormones and breast cancer risk factors in postmenopausal women: Reanalysis of 13 studies

T. J. Key, P. N. Appleby, G. K. Reeves, A. W. Roddam, K. J. Helzlsouer, A. J. Alberg, D. E. Rollison, J. F. Dorgan, L. A. Brinton, K. Overvad, R. Kaaks, A. Trichopoulou, F. Clavel-Chapelon, S. Panico, E. J. Duell, P. H.M. Peeters, S. Rinaldi, I. S. Fentiman, M. Dowsett, J. ManjerP. Lenner, G. Hallmans, L. Baglietto, D. R. English, G. G. Giles, J. L. Hopper, G. Severi, H. A. Morris, S. E. Hankinson, S. S. Tworoger, K. Koenig, A. Zeleniuch-Jacquotte, A. A. Arslan, P. Toniolo, R. E. Shore, V. Krogh, A. Micheli, F. Berrino, E. Barrett-Connor, G. A. Laughlin, M. Kabuto, S. Akiba, R. G. Stevens, K. Neriishi, C. E. Land, J. A. Cauley, L. Y. Lui, S. R. Cummings, M. J. Gunter, T. E. Rohan, H. D. Strickler

Epidemiology & Population Health

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

325 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer risk for postmenopausal women is positively associated with circulating concentrations of oestrogens and androgens, but the determinants of these hormones are not well understood. Methods: Cross-sectional analyses of breast cancer risk factors and circulating hormone concentrations in more than 6000 postmenopausal women controls in 13 prospective studies. Results: Concentrations of all hormones were lower in older than younger women, with the largest difference for dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), whereas sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) was higher in the older women. Androgens were lower in women with bilateral ovariectomy than in naturally postmenopausal women, with the largest difference for free testosterone. All hormones were higher in obese than lean women, with the largest difference for free oestradiol, whereas SHBG was lower in obese women. Smokers of 15 cigarettes per day had higher levels of all hormones than non-smokers, with the largest difference for testosterone. Drinkers of 20 g alcohol per day had higher levels of all hormones, but lower SHBG, than non-drinkers, with the largest difference for DHEAS. Hormone concentrations were not strongly related to age at menarche, parity, age at first full-term pregnancy or family history of breast cancer.Conclusion:Sex hormone concentrations were strongly associated with several established or suspected risk factors for breast cancer, and may mediate the effects of these factors on breast cancer risk.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	709-722
Number of pages	14
Journal	British Journal of Cancer
Volume	105
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.2011.254
State	Published - Aug 23 2011

Keywords

androgens
breast cancer
hormones
oestrogens
sex hormone-binding globulin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Oncology
Cancer Research

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1038/bjc.2011.254

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Key, T. J., Appleby, P. N., Reeves, G. K., Roddam, A. W., Helzlsouer, K. J., Alberg, A. J., Rollison, D. E., Dorgan, J. F., Brinton, L. A., Overvad, K., Kaaks, R., Trichopoulou, A., Clavel-Chapelon, F., Panico, S., Duell, E. J., Peeters, P. H. M., Rinaldi, S., Fentiman, I. S., Dowsett, M., ... Strickler, H. D. (2011). Circulating sex hormones and breast cancer risk factors in postmenopausal women: Reanalysis of 13 studies. British Journal of Cancer, 105(5), 709-722. https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.2011.254

Key, TJ, Appleby, PN, Reeves, GK, Roddam, AW, Helzlsouer, KJ, Alberg, AJ, Rollison, DE, Dorgan, JF, Brinton, LA, Overvad, K, Kaaks, R, Trichopoulou, A, Clavel-Chapelon, F, Panico, S, Duell, EJ, Peeters, PHM, Rinaldi, S, Fentiman, IS, Dowsett, M, Manjer, J, Lenner, P, Hallmans, G, Baglietto, L, English, DR, Giles, GG, Hopper, JL, Severi, G, Morris, HA, Hankinson, SE, Tworoger, SS, Koenig, K, Zeleniuch-Jacquotte, A, Arslan, AA, Toniolo, P, Shore, RE, Krogh, V, Micheli, A, Berrino, F, Barrett-Connor, E, Laughlin, GA, Kabuto, M, Akiba, S, Stevens, RG, Neriishi, K, Land, CE, Cauley, JA, Lui, LY, Cummings, SR, Gunter, MJ, Rohan, TE & Strickler, HD 2011, 'Circulating sex hormones and breast cancer risk factors in postmenopausal women: Reanalysis of 13 studies', British Journal of Cancer, vol. 105, no. 5, pp. 709-722. https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.2011.254

@article{bc22b1065787438a8b5b21064c24328d,

title = "Circulating sex hormones and breast cancer risk factors in postmenopausal women: Reanalysis of 13 studies",

abstract = "Background: Breast cancer risk for postmenopausal women is positively associated with circulating concentrations of oestrogens and androgens, but the determinants of these hormones are not well understood. Methods: Cross-sectional analyses of breast cancer risk factors and circulating hormone concentrations in more than 6000 postmenopausal women controls in 13 prospective studies. Results: Concentrations of all hormones were lower in older than younger women, with the largest difference for dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), whereas sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) was higher in the older women. Androgens were lower in women with bilateral ovariectomy than in naturally postmenopausal women, with the largest difference for free testosterone. All hormones were higher in obese than lean women, with the largest difference for free oestradiol, whereas SHBG was lower in obese women. Smokers of 15 cigarettes per day had higher levels of all hormones than non-smokers, with the largest difference for testosterone. Drinkers of 20 g alcohol per day had higher levels of all hormones, but lower SHBG, than non-drinkers, with the largest difference for DHEAS. Hormone concentrations were not strongly related to age at menarche, parity, age at first full-term pregnancy or family history of breast cancer.Conclusion:Sex hormone concentrations were strongly associated with several established or suspected risk factors for breast cancer, and may mediate the effects of these factors on breast cancer risk.",

keywords = "androgens, breast cancer, hormones, oestrogens, sex hormone-binding globulin",

author = "Key, {T. J.} and Appleby, {P. N.} and Reeves, {G. K.} and Roddam, {A. W.} and Helzlsouer, {K. J.} and Alberg, {A. J.} and Rollison, {D. E.} and Dorgan, {J. F.} and Brinton, {L. A.} and K. Overvad and R. Kaaks and A. Trichopoulou and F. Clavel-Chapelon and S. Panico and Duell, {E. J.} and Peeters, {P. H.M.} and S. Rinaldi and Fentiman, {I. S.} and M. Dowsett and J. Manjer and P. Lenner and G. Hallmans and L. Baglietto and English, {D. R.} and Giles, {G. G.} and Hopper, {J. L.} and G. Severi and Morris, {H. A.} and Hankinson, {S. E.} and Tworoger, {S. S.} and K. Koenig and A. Zeleniuch-Jacquotte and Arslan, {A. A.} and P. Toniolo and Shore, {R. E.} and V. Krogh and A. Micheli and F. Berrino and E. Barrett-Connor and Laughlin, {G. A.} and M. Kabuto and S. Akiba and Stevens, {R. G.} and K. Neriishi and Land, {C. E.} and Cauley, {J. A.} and Lui, {L. Y.} and Cummings, {S. R.} and Gunter, {M. J.} and Rohan, {T. E.} and Strickler, {H. D.}",

note = "Funding Information: We thank the women who participated, the research staff and the collaborating laboratories in each of the studies. This work was supported by Cancer Research, UK (C570/A5028) for the central pooling and analysis of the data; details of funding for the original studies are in the relevant publications. The funders of the study had no role in the study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation or writing of the report. The authors had full access to all the data and had final responsibility for the decision to submit the manuscript.",

year = "2011",

month = aug,

day = "23",

doi = "10.1038/bjc.2011.254",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "105",

pages = "709--722",

journal = "British Journal of Cancer",

issn = "0007-0920",

publisher = "Nature Publishing Group",

number = "5",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Circulating sex hormones and breast cancer risk factors in postmenopausal women

T2 - Reanalysis of 13 studies

AU - Key, T. J.

AU - Appleby, P. N.

AU - Reeves, G. K.

AU - Roddam, A. W.

AU - Helzlsouer, K. J.

AU - Alberg, A. J.

AU - Rollison, D. E.

AU - Dorgan, J. F.

AU - Brinton, L. A.

AU - Overvad, K.

AU - Kaaks, R.

AU - Trichopoulou, A.

AU - Clavel-Chapelon, F.

AU - Panico, S.

AU - Duell, E. J.

AU - Peeters, P. H.M.

AU - Rinaldi, S.

AU - Fentiman, I. S.

AU - Dowsett, M.

AU - Manjer, J.

AU - Lenner, P.

AU - Hallmans, G.

AU - Baglietto, L.

AU - English, D. R.

AU - Giles, G. G.

AU - Hopper, J. L.

AU - Severi, G.

AU - Morris, H. A.

AU - Hankinson, S. E.

AU - Tworoger, S. S.

AU - Koenig, K.

AU - Zeleniuch-Jacquotte, A.

AU - Arslan, A. A.

AU - Toniolo, P.

AU - Shore, R. E.

AU - Krogh, V.

AU - Micheli, A.

AU - Berrino, F.

AU - Barrett-Connor, E.

AU - Laughlin, G. A.

AU - Kabuto, M.

AU - Akiba, S.

AU - Stevens, R. G.

AU - Neriishi, K.

AU - Land, C. E.

AU - Cauley, J. A.

AU - Lui, L. Y.

AU - Cummings, S. R.

AU - Gunter, M. J.

AU - Rohan, T. E.

AU - Strickler, H. D.

N1 - Funding Information: We thank the women who participated, the research staff and the collaborating laboratories in each of the studies. This work was supported by Cancer Research, UK (C570/A5028) for the central pooling and analysis of the data; details of funding for the original studies are in the relevant publications. The funders of the study had no role in the study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation or writing of the report. The authors had full access to all the data and had final responsibility for the decision to submit the manuscript.

PY - 2011/8/23

Y1 - 2011/8/23

N2 - Background: Breast cancer risk for postmenopausal women is positively associated with circulating concentrations of oestrogens and androgens, but the determinants of these hormones are not well understood. Methods: Cross-sectional analyses of breast cancer risk factors and circulating hormone concentrations in more than 6000 postmenopausal women controls in 13 prospective studies. Results: Concentrations of all hormones were lower in older than younger women, with the largest difference for dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), whereas sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) was higher in the older women. Androgens were lower in women with bilateral ovariectomy than in naturally postmenopausal women, with the largest difference for free testosterone. All hormones were higher in obese than lean women, with the largest difference for free oestradiol, whereas SHBG was lower in obese women. Smokers of 15 cigarettes per day had higher levels of all hormones than non-smokers, with the largest difference for testosterone. Drinkers of 20 g alcohol per day had higher levels of all hormones, but lower SHBG, than non-drinkers, with the largest difference for DHEAS. Hormone concentrations were not strongly related to age at menarche, parity, age at first full-term pregnancy or family history of breast cancer.Conclusion:Sex hormone concentrations were strongly associated with several established or suspected risk factors for breast cancer, and may mediate the effects of these factors on breast cancer risk.

AB - Background: Breast cancer risk for postmenopausal women is positively associated with circulating concentrations of oestrogens and androgens, but the determinants of these hormones are not well understood. Methods: Cross-sectional analyses of breast cancer risk factors and circulating hormone concentrations in more than 6000 postmenopausal women controls in 13 prospective studies. Results: Concentrations of all hormones were lower in older than younger women, with the largest difference for dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), whereas sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) was higher in the older women. Androgens were lower in women with bilateral ovariectomy than in naturally postmenopausal women, with the largest difference for free testosterone. All hormones were higher in obese than lean women, with the largest difference for free oestradiol, whereas SHBG was lower in obese women. Smokers of 15 cigarettes per day had higher levels of all hormones than non-smokers, with the largest difference for testosterone. Drinkers of 20 g alcohol per day had higher levels of all hormones, but lower SHBG, than non-drinkers, with the largest difference for DHEAS. Hormone concentrations were not strongly related to age at menarche, parity, age at first full-term pregnancy or family history of breast cancer.Conclusion:Sex hormone concentrations were strongly associated with several established or suspected risk factors for breast cancer, and may mediate the effects of these factors on breast cancer risk.

KW - androgens

KW - breast cancer

KW - hormones

KW - oestrogens

KW - sex hormone-binding globulin

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U2 - 10.1038/bjc.2011.254

DO - 10.1038/bjc.2011.254

M3 - Review article

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AN - SCOPUS:80052034915

SN - 0007-0920

VL - 105

SP - 709

EP - 722

JO - British Journal of Cancer

JF - British Journal of Cancer

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ER -

Circulating sex hormones and breast cancer risk factors in postmenopausal women: Reanalysis of 13 studies

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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