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Adult weight gain and central obesity in women with and without a family history of breast cancer: a case control study

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Abstract

Adult weight gain and central obesity can increase breast cancer risk. We determined the prevalence of adult weight gain and central obesity amongst women with a family history (FH) as compared to women with a population risk to determine whether adiposity could contribute to their increased risk. Adult weight gain, waist and waist:hip ratio (WHR) were determined amongst 475 women (aged 20–60 years) attending a regional FH breast cancer risk clinic, compared to 312 age matched women at population risk. Patterns of adult weight gain did not differ between women with and without a FH of breast cancer. The majority of weight gain occurred between the ages of 20 and 40 in both groups. Mean (sd) weight gain for women aged >40 years with a FH was 8.9 (10.3) kg compared to 9.1 (10.6) kg for controls (p = 0.85). Women with a FH had a significantly greater waist and WHR than controls. Mean (sd) waist was 83.7 (13) cm compared to 81.6 (11.3) cm for controls (p < 0.01). Mean (sd) WHR was 0.82 (0.1) compared to 0.80 (0.1) for controls (p < 0.01). FH of breast cancer was an independent predictor of having a WHR of >0.85; odds ratio (95% CI) = 1.42 (1.01–2.01) (p = 0.044). Significant weight gain between the ages of 20 and 40 and the prevalence of central obesity amongst FH women suggest the need for weight management within FH clinics.

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Abbreviations

BMI:

Body mass index

CYP19:

Cytochrome P450 aromatase

DNA:

Deoxyribonucleic acid

FH:

Family history

HRT:

Hormone replacement therapy

IWHS:

Iowa Women’s Health Study

OC:

Oral contraceptive

WHR:

Waist:hip ratio

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Jean Edney for administrative support and Howard Newall and the staff of the Christie Appeals Office for mailing the survey.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Breast Cancer Prevention Centre, South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust, Manchester, M20 2LR, UK

    Michelle N. Harvie, Gareth Evans & Anthony Howell

  2. CRUK Department of Medical Oncology, Christie Hospital, University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK

    Michelle N. Harvie, Saba Bokhari, Linda Ashcroft & Anthony Howell

  3. Department of Clinical Genetics, St Mary’s Hospital, Hathersage Road, Manchester, M13 OJH, UK

    Andrew Shenton & Gareth Evans

  4. Department of Medical Statistics, Christie Hospital, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK

    Ric Swindell

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  1. Michelle N. Harvie
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  2. Saba Bokhari
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  7. Anthony Howell
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Correspondence to Michelle N. Harvie.

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Harvie, M.N., Bokhari, S., Shenton, A. et al. Adult weight gain and central obesity in women with and without a family history of breast cancer: a case control study. Familial Cancer 6, 287–294 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10689-007-9122-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10689-007-9122-3

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