Register for Risk is significantly reduced by both induced and spontaneous abortions
Breast CancerMarch 11, 2003
2003 MAR 11 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to recent research from Sweden, "It has been suggested that abortions leave the breast epithelium in a proliferative state with an increased susceptibility to carcinogenesis. Results from previous studies of induced or spontaneous abortions and risk of subsequent breast cancer are contradictory, probably due to methodological considerations. We investigated the relationship between abortions and subsequent breast cancer risk in a case control study using prospectively recorded exposure information.
"The study population comprised women recorded in the population based Swedish Medical Birth Register between 1973-1991. Cases were defined by linkage of the birth register to the Swedish Cancer Register and controls were randomly selected from the birth register. From the subjects' antenatal care records we abstracted prospectively collected information on induced and spontaneous abortions, as well as a number of potential confounding factors. Relative risk of breast cancer was estimated by odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). A reduced risk of breast cancer was observed for women with a history of at least 1 compared to no (0) abortions (adjusted OR=0.84, 95% CI=0.72-0.99). The adjusted OR decreases stepwise with number of abortions to 0.39 (95% CI=0.34-1.03) for 3 or more, compared to no abortions," wrote G. Erlandsson and colleagues, Karolinska Institute, Department of Medical Epidemiology.
The researchers concluded: "The patterns are similar for induced and spontaneous abortions. Neither a history of induced nor spontaneous abortions is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Our data suggest a protective effect of pregnancies regardless of outcome."
Erlandsson and colleagues published their study in International Journal of Cancer (Abortions and breast cancer: Record-based case-control study. Int J Cancer, 2003;103(5):676-679).
For additional information, contact G. Erlandsson, Karolinska Institute, Department Med Epidemiology, POB 281, SE-17177 Stockholm, Sweden.
To subscribe to the International Journal of Cancer, contact the publisher: Wiley-Liss, Division John Wiley & Sons Inc., 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158-0012, USA.
The information in this article comes under the major subject areas of Breast Cancer, Risk Factor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oncology, Abortion, Epidemiology, Pregnancy and Women's Health. This article was prepared by Cancer Weekly editors from staff and other reports.
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