12 Feb Breast Cancer Risk Increased by Smoking

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Masaaki Kawai MD, PhD
Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Seattle, Washington

MedicalResearch.com:  What are the main findings of the study?

Answer:  Ever-smokers had a 1.3-fold increased risk of breast cancer. They also had a 1.4-fold increased risk of ER-positive breast cancer. Current/recent smokers with a 10 pack-year history of smoking had a 1.6-fold increased risk of ER-positive breast cancer.
MedicalResearch.com:  Were any of the findings unexpected?

Answer:  We couldn’t find the association between smoking and risk of triple-negative breast cancer.

MedicalResearch.com:  What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Answer:  Smoking is associated with cancer risk, and may also be associated with ER+ breast cancer risk.

MedicalResearch.com:  What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Answer:  To suggest that women never start smoking, or quit smoking as soon as possible.

Citation:

Kawai, M., Malone, K. E., Tang, M.-T. C. and Li, C. I. (2014), Active smoking and the risk of estrogen receptor-positive and triple-negative breast cancer among women ages 20 to 44 years. Cancer. doi: 10.1002/cncr.28402

Last Updated on February 12, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD