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Published in: International Journal of Public Health 7/2018

01-09-2018 | Review

The association of early life socioeconomic position on breast cancer incidence and mortality: a systematic review

Authors: Tomi F. Akinyemiju, Joshua Demb, Monika A. Izano, David H. Rehkopf, Min-Lin Fang, Robert A. Hiatt, Dejana Braithwaite

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 7/2018

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Abstract

Objectives

We conducted a systematic review of the literature relating early life socioeconomic position (SEP) to breast cancer incidence and mortality from a critical period and life-course trajectory perspective.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched to identify cohort studies that evaluated the impact of early life SEP indicators on the incidence and/or mortality from breast cancer in adulthood.

Results

Nine distinct studies evaluated the relationship between early life SEP and breast cancer between 1990 and 2016. Five reports assessed breast cancer incidence and five assessed breast cancer mortality as outcomes; one study assessed both incidence and mortality. While lower early life SEP was associated with reduced breast cancer incidence and increased breast cancer mortality in the US, studies conducted in Europe were unable to establish a consistent association.

Conclusions

We found moderate support for the association between early life SEP and incidence and mortality from breast cancer. The impact of early life SEP on breast cancer incidence and mortality appeared to vary between countries. We urge further investigation of the role of lifelong SEP trajectories in breast cancer outcomes.
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Metadata
Title
The association of early life socioeconomic position on breast cancer incidence and mortality: a systematic review
Authors
Tomi F. Akinyemiju
Joshua Demb
Monika A. Izano
David H. Rehkopf
Min-Lin Fang
Robert A. Hiatt
Dejana Braithwaite
Publication date
01-09-2018
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
International Journal of Public Health / Issue 7/2018
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-017-1060-8

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