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Study: Breast cancer risk model updated for average risk women with genetic, lifestyle and environmental information

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Contents

At a glance                  Questions for your doctor
Findings               In-depth                
Clinical trials Limitations
Guidelines Resources


STUDY AT A GLANCE

This study is about: 

Research on breast cancer risk factors that can be incorporated into a model to predict a Caucasian woman’s breast cancer risk.

Why is this study important? 

Research has identified lifestyle and environmental factors such as alcohol consumption, smoking, menstrual and/or reproductive history, hormone use, height, and weight that can increase breast cancer risk. We now also know about common changes in called “single nucleotide polymorphisms” (SNPs) that can also increase breast cancer risk. SNPs are different from mutations in or other genes found on panels, as they have been shown to only slightly modify cancer risk. Researchers want to incorporate this information into a breast cancer risk prediction model to identify those women who are at higher risk of developing breast cancer. 

Study findings: 

  1. On average, 30-year old white women in the U.S. have about an 11% risk for developing invasive breast cancer by age 80. However, according to the model the researchers developed, breast cancer risk can range from about 4% for some women to about 24% for other women.

What does this mean for me?

The researchers of this study developed a model that takes into account information updates about factors that increase breast cancer risk. This information can be used to predict which women have a slightly higher or slightly lower risk of breast cancer.  Some risk factors are known as “nonmodifiable,” meaning that their influence on breast cancer risk cannot be changed or is unlikely to be changed. Genetics, family history, and some components of menstrual and or reproductive history are examples of nonmodifiable risk factors. However, the researchers observed that if women with the greatest increase in risk from nonmodifiable factors had low body mass index (BMI), did not drink or smoke, or use hormone therapy, they could still, at age 80, have comparable breast cancer risk as women who did not have an increased risk due to nonmodifiable risk factors.

Although lifestyle changes can help to lower your breast cancer risk, this particular risk prediction model has not been validated for clinical use, meaning health care providers are not currently using it to counsel women on their breast cancer risk. The study authors state that “ trials will be needed to understand the true effect of an intervention for the underlying population…” in other words, they do not know with certainty that altering modifiable lifestyle factors will prevent breast cancer. Women should talk to their health care provider to determine what individual measures they should take to reduce their breast cancer risk.

Posted 6/29/16

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References

Dupont WD, Blume JD, Smith JR. “Building and Validating Complex Models of Breast Cancer Risk.” JAMA Oncology. Published online first on May 26, 2016.  

Maas P, Barrdahl M, Joshi AD et al. “Breast Cancer Risk From Modifiable and Nonmodifiable Risk Factors Among White Women in the United States.” JAMA Oncology. Published online first on May 26, 2016.  

This article is relevant for:

Women at average risk for breast cancer

This article is also relevant for:

healthy people with average cancer risk

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IN DEPTH REVIEW OF RESEARCH

Study background:

Some breast cancer risk-increasing factors can be changed—for example, a woman can choose not to smoke. Others are known as “nonmodifiable,” meaning that their ability to alter breast cancer risk cannot be changed or is unlikely to be changed. Genetic factors, such as an individual’s , are a good example of nonmodifiable risk. Researchers do not know how information about nonmodifiable risk factors, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), common changes found in the general population; family history; and some components of menstrual and or reproductive history can guide cancer prevention efforts with modifiable risk factors (such as drinking, smoking, and weight).

Paige Maas and her colleagues from the National Cancer Institute and other institutions published research in the journal JAMA Oncology describing their breast cancer risk model that incorporates both modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors to predict a woman’s 80-year breast cancer risk.

Researchers of this study wanted to know:

Can risk factors such as and other lifestyle/environmental factors be incorporated into a breast cancer risk prediction model?

Population(s) looked at in the study:

This study used information from women participating in the Breast and Cancer Cohort Consortium. Researchers used information from 17,171 White women with invasive breast cancer, and 19,862 white women without invasive breast cancer (controls) to develop a breast cancer risk model for all white women in the U.S. The information included data on 24 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are known to increase breast cancer risk, and that the researchers included in their model. While SNPs are a alteration, they are commonly found in the general population, and do not increase cancer risk as much as a known cancer-causing gene mutation—92 common SNPs are believed to increase breast cancer risk. For SNPs not included in the Breast and Cancer Cohort Consortium, the researchers used previously published data in their model. This population did not include women with mutations in BRCA1; it did include women with specific SNPs in and , but not all known mutations.

Study findings: 

  1. On average, 30-year old white women in the U.S. have about an 11% risk for developing invasive breast cancer by age 80. However, according to the model the researchers developed, breast cancer risk can range from about 4% for some women to about 24% for other women.
  2. Women with the greatest increased risk due to nonmodifiable risk factors who did not smoke, drink, or use menopausal hormone therapy, and had a low BMI could have a decreased risk at age 80, similar to an average woman who was not at increased risk due to the same nonmodifiable risk factors.
  3. The researchers estimate that about 29% of all breast cancer cases in the U.S. could be prevented if all white women refrained from drinking, smoking, or using hormone therapy, and had a healthy BMI.

Limitations:

The researchers defined nonmodifiable risks as those that could not be changed or were unlikely to be changed in regard to their ability to alter breast cancer risk. However, some of the factors they considered nonmodifiable do have components that can be changed. For example, height, the age at onset of menstruation, and the age at onset of menopause are partially determined by body size, childhood diet, and exercise habits. Additionally, because the researchers did not evaluate all breast cancer risk factors—they did not collect data directly from these women—they were unable to ask about education level, breastfeeding, physical activity, breast conditions (mammographic density and benign breast disease), and hormone biomarkers (estradiol, testosterone, and prolactin).  Nor did they look at genetic mutations, such as mutations, that cause disease; they looked only at single nucleotide polymorphisms. And because not all the data was available from one single study, the researchers had to combine data from multiple studies, increasing the inconsistencies in the overall data used in this study. Finally, the researchers did not include data on women with many known mutations in cancer risk-increasing genes which, depending on the gene mutation, can increase cancer risk substantially. 

Conclusions:

This study suggests that maintaining healthy lifestyle choices regarding smoking, drinking, menopausal hormone therapy use, and BMI can help to prevent breast cancer, even in women whose high risk for breast cancer is due to genetics and family history. More work, including a large clinical trial, needs to be done to confirm these findings and to see if altering these lifestyle factors results in fewer breast cancer cases. Models need to be developed for races other than Caucasian. Future studies should also include other factors that increase breast cancer risk, including genetic mutations (while the highest lifetime risk in this study was 24%, the lifetime risk for a woman with a mutation is as high as 65%). Because of the multiple sources of data used by the researchers, William Dupont and colleagues wrote in an accompanying editorial, “Since [the model] cannot be calibrated, we would not recommend that it be used to counsel individual patients.” While the authors of the editorial praise the progress achieved of the research study, they state that it would be premature to use the model to support clinical decision making. Women should talk to their health care providers to identify lifestyle changes that they can incorporate into their lives to help lower their breast cancer risk. Adopting a healthy lifestyle is important for many aspects of health in addition to lowering cancer risk.

Posted 6/29/16

Share your thoughts on this XRAYS article by taking our brief survey

Expert Guidelines
Expert Guidelines

The American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines on exercise, nutrition and weight for cancer prevention recommend the following: 

Diet and nutrition

  • Follow a healthy eating pattern, including:
    • foods that are high in nutrients in amounts that help you acheive and maintain a healthy body weight.
    • a variety of vegetables, fiber-rich legumes (beans and peas) and whole fruits in a variety of colors. Consume at least 2½ to 3 cups of vegetables and 1½ to 2 cups of fruit each day, depending on your calorie requirements. 
    • whole grains rather than refined grains. At least half of the grains you eat should be whole grains. 
  • A healthy eating pattern that limits or does not include:
    • red and processed meats.
    • sugar-sweetened beverages. 
    • highly processed foods and refined grain products.
  • It is best not to drink alcohol. People who choose to drink alcohol should:
    • have no more than 1 drink per day (women) or 2 drinks per day (men).

Exercise

  • Exercise regularly.
    • Adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity (equal to a brisk walk) or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (heart rate is increased, breathing is faster and you are sweating) each week, preferably spread throughout the week.
    • Physical activity has been shown to lower the risk of several types of cancer, including breast, endometrial, and colon. It also reduces the risk of other serious diseases including diabetes and heart disease.

Weight

  • Achieve and keep a healthy weight.
    • Being overweight or obese is a risk factor for many cancers, including breast, colon, endometrial and pancreatic. You can control your weight through regular exercise and healthy eating.

Other experts, including the following, also provide guidelines for exercise, nutrition and health: 

Updated: 07/19/2022

Questions To Ask Your Doctor
Questions To Ask Your Doctor

  • How can I lower my breast cancer risk?
  • What are the best dietary choices for me for breast cancer risk reduction?
  • Are there diets or foods that I should avoid?
  • To what extent may my diet impact my breast cancer risk?
  • Can you refer me to a nutritionist?
  • Should I have genetic testing for an ?
  • Can you refer me to a genetic counselor? 

Open Clinical Trials
Open Clinical Trials

The following are studies focused on nutrition and cancer prevention. 

Breast cancer

Colorectal cancer

Visit our Featured Research Page and Research Search and Enroll Tool to find additional studies enrolling people with or at high risk for cancer.

Updated: 05/29/2024

Find Experts
Find Experts

The following resources can help you locate a nutritionist near you or via telehealth

Finding nutritionists

  • You can find a registered dietician in your area through Eatright.org, the website for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Search for nutritionists by specialty, including "cancer," "weight management" and "heart health."


Related experts

  • The Livestrong at the YMCA program includes a free 12-week membership and fitness training with certified exercise experts. You can search by zip code for a program near you.  


Other ways to find experts

  • Register for the FORCE Message Boards and post on the Find a Specialist board to connect with other people who share your situation. 
  • The National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers have specialists to manage the symptoms and side effects of cancer prevention or treatment. 
  • FORCE partners with Savor Health® to provide free, personalized, evidence-based nutrition support 24/7 and “on-demand" through their text-based Intelligent Nutrition Assistant (Ina®). You can subscribe here

 

Updated: 11/20/2023

Who covered this study?

Cancer Therapy Advisor

Model predicts that healthful lifestyle benefits women at risk of breast cancer This article rates 4.0 out of 5 stars

Fox News

Key lifestyle factors could help reduce breast cancer cases by 30 percent This article rates 3.5 out of 5 stars

Oncology Nurse Advisor

Healthy lifestyle could reduce risk of developing breast cancer This article rates 3.5 out of 5 stars

TIME

Here are the things women can do to avoid breast cancer This article rates 3.5 out of 5 stars

NBC News

Even people with breast cancer risk genes can lower risk This article rates 3.0 out of 5 stars

Pulse Headlines

28.9% of all breast cancers can be prevented by controlling 4 risk factors This article rates 1.5 out of 5 stars

How we rated the media

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