Does folate intake decrease risk of postmenopausal breast cancer among women with a family history?

Background: Several recent studies suggest that adequate dietary folate may attenuate the risk of breast cancer associated with intake of alcohol. We examined whether the putative benefit extends to women with a family history (FH) of breast cancer using a cohort of 33,552 postmenopausal women aged 55-69 years in 1986.

Method: Folate and alcohol intake was estimated from a food frequency questionnaire completed at baseline.

Interaction of adolescent anthropometric characteristics and family history on breast cancer risk in a Historical Cohort Study of 426 families (USA).

Objective: To determine whether the association of adolescent anthropometric characteristics with breast cancer is modified by a family history of the disease.

Methods: These interactions were evaluated in a historical cohort of 426 families of breast cancer probands diagnosed between 1944 and 1952 at the University of Minnesota. The occurrence of breast cancer and the measurement of risk factors in sisters, daughters, granddaughters, nieces and marry-ins was determined through telephone interviews and mailed questionnaires conducted from 1991-1996.

High-folate diets and breast cancer survival in a prospective cohort study.

Recent evidence suggests that adequate dietary folate may attenuate the risk of breast cancer associated with intake of alcohol. However, patients with breast cancer have been commonly treated with antifolate chemotherapies. The present analysis was performed to test the hypothesis that high folate intake may diminish the effectiveness of chemotherapy and, therefore, adversely influence survival.

Evaluation of familial clustering of breast and prostate cancer in the Minnesota Breast Cancer Family Study.

Few studies examining familial clustering of breast and prostate cancer (PC) have focused on a clearly defined high-risk population with epidemiologic risk factors. We conducted a cohort study of prostate cancer among a subset of 426 families ascertained through female breast cancer probands. Three groups of males were included: 804 relatives in 60 families with four or more breast or ovarian cancers, 536 marry-ins in these high-risk families, and 484 relatives in 81 families where only the proband had breast cancer.

Association of correlates of endogenous hormonal exposure with breast cancer risk in 426 families (United States).

Objective: Women with a strong family history of breast cancer are at significantly increased risk of developing the disease. There is emerging evidence that certain reproductive factors may further elevate risk in these women. We examined whether a family history of breast cancer modifies the association between correlates of endogenous hormonal exposures and breast cancer in a study of 426 families ascertained through breast cancer probands.