2019

With data from the African American Breast Cancer Epidemiology and Risk Consortium, which includes the BWHS, we examined risk factors for estrogen receptor positive (ER+) ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). In this condition, there are abnormal cells in the milk duct of the breast that might proceed to cancer. Results suggested that most risk factors associated with increased risk of ER+ DCIS are the same as those associated with invasive ER+ breast cancer. link to online article

The death rate from epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is higher in Black women than White women. The BWHS has joined with seven other studies of ovarian cancer in a consortium called OCWAA (Ovarian Cancer in Women of African Ancestry). The study will overcome the problem of small sample sizes in individual studies to better understand racial differences in EOC risk and survival. The combined effort will provide a large enough sample size to produce meaningful research in this area. link to online article

Telomeres (protein structures at the ends of chromosomes) become shorter as a person becomes older. Telomeres that are shorter than expected for a given age have been found to be associated with premature morbidity and mortality (earlier ages of death and illness). In the BWHS, an analysis of telomere length and self-reported experience of everyday racism found shorter telomere length among women who reported not discussing those experiences of racism with others. Further work is need to confirm this association. link to online article

Hair loss on the central scalp affects African American women much more commonly than women in other ethnic/racial groups. The causes are obscure, although one hypothesis suggests that type 2 diabetes may increase the risk. We examined this hypothesis in the BWHS, in the largest study yet conducted of type 2 diabetes in relation to central hair loss. BWHS participants with type 2 diabetes were found to be at increased risk for severe central scalp hair loss. By monitoring diabetes patients for signs of hair loss, health care providers could offer appropriate referral for early treatment. link to online article

The incidence of pancreatic cancer is higher in African Americans than in U.S. whites. Poor oral health, which is more common among African Americans, has been associated with increased risk of pancreatic cancer in several studies of white populations. We found that tooth loss and periodontal disease were associated with increased risk of pancreatic cancer, especially among nonsmokers in the BWHS. Future research is needed to examine the association between micro-organisms that reside in the mouth and the risk of pancreatic cancer. link to online article

Breastfeeding is recognized as good for babies and good for mothers (for example, it has been found to lower risk of ER- breast cancer in women who have breastfed). In the U.S., Black women are disproportionately affected by diabetes, and they are less likely to breast feed their babies than White women. This study examined the relationship between diabetes before pregnancy and the duration of breastfeeding among women in the BWHS. The results suggest that the duration of breastfeeding among women with pre-pregnancy diabetes is shorter than that among women without pre-pregnancy diabetes. Lactation support for women who wish to breastfeed their babies could help them continue breastfeeding for longer. link to online article

Regular use of aspirin has been associated with a reduced risk of several cancers, but the data for endometrial cancer are conflicting. Evidence regarding use of other analgesics is limited. In this pooled analysis of 12 studies (including BWHS), participating in the Epidemiology of Endometrial Cancer Consortium, weekly use of aspirin was associated with a 15% decrease in risk of endometrial cancer among overweight and obese women, but not among thinner women. There was no clear association of acetaminophen use with endometrial cancer. link to online article

In this study of BWHS participants, factors at or around the time of birth (birthweight, preterm birth, singleton or multiple birth, mother’s age, birth order, breastfed or bottle-fed) were examined in relation to breast cancer risk. The factors most strongly associated with higher risk of breast cancer were high birthweight (>8lbs 13oz) and mother aged 35 or more years at the birth. Trends towards delayed childbirth and higher birthweights, coupled with the high rates of low birth weight among African Americans, may contribute to increases in breast cancer incidence. link to online article

The relation of overweight to lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE) has been examined in studies of White women. In our examination of obesity in relation to SLE risk in the BWHS, we found no association of overweight or obesity adulthood with risk of SLE. However, obesity as a teenager was associated with increased risk of SLE. It has been suggested that a possible biologic mechanism involves systemic inflammation related to overweight but further studies are needed to understand and establish the mechanisms. link to online article

Childbirth is thought to be protective against some forms of breast cancer, especially ER+ breast cancer, in the long-term, but it may raise risk in the shorter term. The BWHS participated in a large study that combined data of 15 prospective cohort studies to examine how childbirth affects the long-term risk of breast cancer. Compared to women who had not given birth, the risk of breast cancer was higher for 24 years among women who had given birth, and risk was greatest 5 years after childbirth. After 24 years, the risk of ER+ breast cancer was lower among women who had given birth than among women who had not given birth. Thus, consideration of a woman’s risk of breast cancer should include how long ago she gave birth. link to online article

This study examined smoking and alcohol consumption in relation to the risk of lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE) in the BWHS. The results, showing increased risk of SLE associated with cigarette smoking and decreased risk of SLE associated with moderate alcohol consumption, are consistent with findings in studies of White women. link to online article