Hormone Levels in Older Women with Breast Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): L. Bernstein, R.K. Ross, M.C. Pike, J.B. Brown, B.E. Henderson
Primary Institution: University of Southern California School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Breast cancer risk is determined in part by post-menopausal serum oestrogen concentration.
Conclusion
Post-menopausal women with breast cancer have higher levels of certain estrogens compared to healthy controls.
Supporting Evidence
- Breast cancer cases had 15% higher serum oestradiol levels.
- Cases had 40% more urinary oestradiol than controls.
- 44% more urinary oestriol was found in cases compared to controls.
Takeaway
Women who have had breast cancer after menopause have more hormones in their blood than women who haven't had breast cancer.
Methodology
The study compared hormone levels in blood and urine between 40 post-menopausal breast cancer patients and 40 matched controls.
Potential Biases
Potential selection bias due to matching criteria and exclusion of certain populations.
Limitations
The study may not account for all confounding factors and was limited to a specific demographic.
Participant Demographics
All participants were non-Hispanic white women born in the USA.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.02, 0.03, 0.04
Confidence Interval
(2.32, 2.83), (37.4, 50.7), (92.6, 133.1)
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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