Sunlight Exposure and Breast Density: A Population-Based Study.
10.4048/jbc.2013.16.2.171
- Author:
Sheng Hui WU
1
;
Suzanne C HO
;
Edwin SO
;
Tsz Ping LAM
;
Jean WOO
;
P Y YUEN
;
Ling QIN
;
Susanna KU
Author Information
1. School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. suzanneho@cuhk.edu.hk
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Breast neoplasms;
Mammographic density;
Sunlight;
Vitamin D
- MeSH:
Aged;
Asian Continental Ancestry Group;
Breast;
Breast Neoplasms;
Female;
Humans;
Logistic Models;
Mammary Glands, Human;
Odds Ratio;
Solar System;
Sunlight;
Telephone;
Vitamin D;
Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Journal of Breast Cancer
2013;16(2):171-177
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: This study aims to assess the association of sunlight exposure with breast cancer risk, measured by the breast density assessed from Tabar's mammographic pattern in Chinese women. METHODS: A total of 676 premenopausal women were recruited to participate in this study, in which 650 completed a validated sunlight exposure questionnaire via telephone. The mammograms were classified according to Tabar's classification for parenchyma, and patterns IV & V and I, II & III indicated respectively high and low risk mammographic patterns for breast cancer. The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for sun exposure-related variables were estimated using unconditional logistic regression with adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS: Among 646 participants, women with high breast cancer risk (Tabar's patterns IV &V) had less hours spent in the sun than those with low risk (I, II & III) at any age stage. A higher level of sunlight exposure was associated with a significantly lower risk having high risk Tabar's pattern. Women aged 40 to 44 years who were in the highest tertile of lifetime total hours spent in the sun had a multi-adjusted OR of 0.41 (95% CI, 0.18-0.92; p for trend=0.03) compared with those in the lowest tertile (>2.19 hr/day vs. <1.32 hr/day). For hours spent in the sun across the ages of 6 to 12 years, the comparable OR was 0.37 (95% CI, 0.15-0.91; p for trend=0.03). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that higher sunlight exposure is related to a lower risk of having high risk breast density pattern in premenopausal women. Our results also suggest the most relevant period of exposure is during earlier life.
