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Breast Cancer Research
Published in: Breast Cancer Research 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research

Adolescent endogenous sex hormones and breast density in early adulthood

Authors: Seungyoun Jung, Brian L. Egleston, D. Walt Chandler, Linda Van Horn, Nola M. Hylton, Catherine C. Klifa, Norman L. Lasser, Erin S. LeBlanc, Kenneth Paris, John A. Shepherd, Linda G. Snetselaar, Frank Z. Stanczyk, Victor J. Stevens, Joanne F. Dorgan

Published in: Breast Cancer Research | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Introduction

During adolescence the breasts undergo rapid growth and development under the influence of sex hormones. Although the hormonal etiology of breast cancer is hypothesized, it remains unknown whether adolescent sex hormones are associated with adult breast density, which is a strong risk factor for breast cancer.

Methods

Percentage of dense breast volume (%DBV) was measured in 2006 by magnetic resonance imaging in 177 women aged 25–29 years who had participated in the Dietary Intervention Study in Children from 1988 to 1997. They had sex hormones and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) measured in serum collected on one to five occasions between 8 and 17 years of age. Multivariable linear mixed-effect regression models were used to evaluate the associations of adolescent sex hormones and SHBG with %DBV.

Results

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and SHBG measured in premenarche serum samples were significantly positively associated with %DBV (all P trend ≤0.03) but not when measured in postmenarche samples (all P trend ≥0.42). The multivariable geometric mean of %DBV across quartiles of premenarcheal DHEAS and SHBG increased from 16.7 to 22.1 % and from 14.1 to 24.3 %, respectively. Estrogens, progesterone, androstenedione, and testosterone in pre- or postmenarche serum samples were not associated with %DBV (all P trend ≥0.16).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that higher premenarcheal DHEAS and SHBG levels are associated with higher %DBV in young women. Whether this association translates into an increased risk of breast cancer later in life is currently unknown.

Clinical trials registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier, NCT00458588 April 9, 2007; NCT00000459 October 27, 1999
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Adolescent endogenous sex hormones and breast density in early adulthood
Authors
Seungyoun Jung
Brian L. Egleston
D. Walt Chandler
Linda Van Horn
Nola M. Hylton
Catherine C. Klifa
Norman L. Lasser
Erin S. LeBlanc
Kenneth Paris
John A. Shepherd
Linda G. Snetselaar
Frank Z. Stanczyk
Victor J. Stevens
Joanne F. Dorgan
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Breast Cancer Research / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1465-542X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13058-015-0581-4

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