2012 Publications
The Endogenous Hormones and Breast Cancer Collaborative Group
The Endogenous Hormones and Breast Cancer Collaborative Group conducts pooled analyses of endogenous (natural) hormones in relation to breast cancer risk. Scientists from 18 studies around the world are collaborating in this work, and the group is looking at the roles of oestrogens, androgens and growth factors in the aetiology of breast cancer.
The Endogenous Hormones and Breast Cancer Collaborative Group was established in 1999 with its secretariat in the Cancer Epidemiology Unit, and has so far met twice, in 2000 and 2003. The first publication from the group showed that the serum concentrations of oestradiol and other sex hormones in postmenopausal women are associated with an approximately twofold increase in breast cancer risk. The next publication showed that the increase in breast cancer risk observed among obese postmenopausal women may be explained by the relatively high serum concentrations of oestradiol in these women, a consequence of the conversion of androgens to oestrogens in the adipose tissue. A recent paper has shown that circulating insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is positively associated with the risk for breast cancer in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women, and that the association of IGF-I with risk appears to be restricted to breast cancers which are positive for the oestrogen receptor.
Current work is looking at the relationships of other sex hormones, prolactin and growth factors with breast cancer risk among both premenopausal and postmenopausal women.
View publications for the Endogenous Hormones and Breast Cancer Collaborative Group.
