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Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer Following Breast Cancer

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Abstract

Objective. To investigate risk factors for colorectal cancer following breast cancer.

Methods. In this nested case-control study, all women (n=14,900) with a first primary breast cancer (1978–1992) were identified from the western Washington population-based Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Cancer Registry. Cases (n=160) developed a second primary colorectal cancer before 1995, at least 6 months after the first cancer diagnosis. Controls (n=310, matched to the cases on calendar year, age and breast cancer stage) were randomly selected from those who did not develop a second primary cancer and who survived to the case's colorectal cancer diagnosis date. Characteristics of the cases and controls at initial diagnosis were compared using conditional logistic regression.

Results. The incidence of colorectal cancer was associated with a family history of breast cancer (v.s. no family history, matched odds ratio (mOR)=2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1–4.1), high body mass index (≥30 kg/m2 v.s. <30 kg/m2, mOR=2.2, CI: 1.2–3.9), and lobular breast cancer histology (v.s. ductal, mOR=2.0, CI: 0.9–4.4). Risk was unrelated to menopausal status, prior hormone replacement therapy and estrogen/progesterone receptor status of the breast tumors.

Conclusions. The risk of developing a second primary colorectal cancer may be elevated among certain subsets of breast cancer patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Alta., Canada

    Leanne M. Kmet & Linda S. Cook

  2. Division of Epidemiology, Screening and Prevention, Alberta Cancer Board, Calgary, Alta., Canada

    Linda S. Cook

  3. Division of Public Health Services, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA

    Linda S. Cook, Noel S. Weiss, Stephen M. Schwartz & Emily White

  4. Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Noel S. Weiss, Stephen M. Schwartz & Emily White

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  1. Leanne M. Kmet
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  2. Linda S. Cook
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  3. Noel S. Weiss
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  4. Stephen M. Schwartz
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  5. Emily White
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Kmet, L.M., Cook, L.S., Weiss, N.S. et al. Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer Following Breast Cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 79, 143–147 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023926401227

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023926401227

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