Abstract
The current case-control study investigated the relationship between striking life events and breast cancer in Chinese women. A total of 265 primary breast cancer patients and 265 controls were enrolled with matching for age and completed questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis was used. Thirty-nine breast cancer patients reported striking life events and twenty-four of the controls reported striking life events. The number of striking life events was significantly greater in patients (p = 0.04). It indicated a striking life event led to a 1.726-fold increased HR (95% CI 1.005-2.965, p < 0.05) for breast cancer with adjustment for age, and a 1.811-fold increased HR (95% CI 1.021 - 3.212, P < 0.05) with adjustment for age, BMI, and late age at menopause. High BMI (OR: 1.680, 95% CI: 1.258-2.196, p < 0.05) and a family history of breast cancer (OR: 2.244, 95% CI: 1.065-4.729, p < 0.05, respectively) increased the risk of breast cancer, and late age at menopause decreased the risk for breast cancer (OR: 0.513, 95% CI: 0.303-0.868, p < 0.05). Our findings indicate a significant association between striking life events and breast cancer in Chinese women, especially in the subpopulation with high BMI or family history of breast cancer.
Highlights
Breast cancer has a high morbidity and mortality throughout the world, accounts for 23% of all malignant tumors, and is a major cause of cancer deaths among women [1]
It indicated a striking life event led to a 1.726-fold increased HR for breast cancer with adjustment for age, and a 1.811-fold increased HR with adjustment for age, body mass index (BMI), and late age at menopause
High BMI (OR: 1.680, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.258-2.196, p < 0.05) and a family history of breast cancer (OR: 2.244, 95% CI: 1.065-4.729, p < 0.05, respectively) increased the risk of breast cancer, and late age at menopause decreased the risk for breast cancer (OR: 0.513, 95% CI: 0.303-0.868, p < 0.05)
Summary
Breast cancer has a high morbidity and mortality throughout the world, accounts for 23% of all malignant tumors, and is a major cause of cancer deaths among women [1]. Recent studies have shown that genetic, physiological, and behavioral factors can increase the risk of breast cancer, including early menarche, late menopause, nulliparity or bearing a first child at a late age, overweight after menopause, certain types of benign breast diseases, alcohol consumption, and long-term use of menopausal estrogen replacement therapy [2,3,4,5]. Few studies have examined the role of psychological factors on breast cancer. These psychological factors include personality traits, behavioral characteristics, and the presence of psychological stress, crucial life events, and social support. In 1893, Snow et al first described the relationship between psychologically striking events and breast cancer They studied 250 breast cancer patients, 156 of whom experienced the death of relatives (a “major life event”). The short-term or acute psychological response to a striking life event differs from chronic stress and depression, and has become a matter of increasing concern
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