Connecting the dots between breast cancer, obesity and alcohol consumption in middle-aged women: ecological and case control studies

• DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-5357-1
• Publication Date: 2018-04-19T10:43:52Z
• Authors: E. R. Miller; C. Wilson; J. Chapman; I. Flight; A.-M. Nguyen; C. Fletcher; Ij Ramsey
• Keywords: Biostatistics; Ecological study; Consumption

Breast cancer (BC) incidence in Australian women aged 45 to 64 years ('middle-aged') has tripled the past 50 years, along with increasing alcohol consumption and obesity middle-age women. Alcohol have been individually associated BC but little is known about how these factors might interact. Chronic psychological stress with, not causally linked to, BC. Here, could represent 'missing link' – reflecting self-medication. Using an exploratory cross-sectional design, we investigated inter-correlations of intake overweight/obesity their association middle-aged We also explored role various lifestyle relationships. analysed population data on incidence, consumption, overweight/obesity, stress. A case control study was conducted using online survey. Cases (n = 80) were diagnosed controls 235) same age range no history. Participants reported (including weight history) over consecutive 10-year life periods. Data a bivariate multivariate techniques including correlation matrices, binomial regressions multilevel logistic regression. Ecological found between other variables matrix. Strong pairwise correlations obesity. BMI tended be higher cases relative across case-control status. Few stress, although smoking correlated some Obesity occurring during ages 31 40 emerged as independent predictor (OR 3.5 95% CI: 1.3–9.4). This provides ecological evidence correlating incidence. Case-control findings suggest lifetime may important particular risk prior age. Stress ecologically differentially among controls. Our support prevention efforts targeting below and, potentially, lifelong reduce