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Open Access 01-12-2019 | Breast Cancer | Research article

Pubertal timing and breast density in young women: a prospective cohort study

Authors: Lauren C. Houghton, Seungyoun Jung, Rebecca Troisi, Erin S. LeBlanc, Linda G. Snetselaar, Nola M. Hylton, Catherine Klifa, Linda Van Horn, Kenneth Paris, John A. Shepherd, Robert N. Hoover, Joanne F. Dorgan

Published in: Breast Cancer Research | Issue 1/2019

Abstract

Background

Earlier age at onset of pubertal events and longer intervals between them (tempo) have been associated with increased breast cancer risk. It is unknown whether the timing and tempo of puberty are associated with adult breast density, which could mediate the increased risk.

Methods

From 1988 to 1997, girls participating in the Dietary Intervention Study in Children (DISC) were clinically assessed annually between ages 8 and 17 years for Tanner stages of breast development (thelarche) and pubic hair (pubarche), and onset of menses (menarche) was self-reported. In 2006–2008, 182 participants then aged 25–29 years had their percent dense breast volume (%DBV) measured by magnetic resonance imaging. Multivariable, linear mixed-effects regression models adjusted for reproductive factors, demographics, and body size were used to evaluate associations of age and tempo of puberty events with %DBV.

Results

The mean (standard deviation) and range of %DBV were 27.6 (20.5) and 0.2–86.1. Age at thelarche was negatively associated with %DBV (p trend = 0.04), while pubertal tempo between thelarche and menarche was positively associated with %DBV (p trend = 0.007). %DBV was 40% higher in women whose thelarche-to-menarche tempo was 2.9 years or longer (geometric mean (95%CI) = 21.8% (18.2–26.2%)) compared to women whose thelarche-to-menarche tempo was less than 1.6 years (geometric mean (95%CI) = 15.6% (13.9–17.5%)).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that a slower pubertal tempo, i.e., greater number of months between thelarche and menarche, is associated with higher percent breast density in young women. Future research should examine whether breast density mediates the association between slower tempo and increased breast cancer risk.

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Title: Pubertal timing and breast density in young women: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Lauren C. Houghton
Seungyoun Jung
Rebecca Troisi
Erin S. LeBlanc
Linda G. Snetselaar
Nola M. Hylton
Catherine Klifa
Linda Van Horn
Kenneth Paris
John A. Shepherd
Robert N. Hoover
Joanne F. Dorgan
Publication date: 01-12-2019
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer
Published in: Breast Cancer Research / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1465-542X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13058-019-1209-x

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