A biological marker, strongly associated with early oral contraceptive use, for the selection of a high risk group for premenopausal breast cancer

• In a population-based group of women, consecutively diagnosed, with premenopausal breast cancer there was a significant correlation between tumour size and plasma prolactin (r=0.30;P<0.004). The concentration of estrogen receptor was negatively correlated to tumour size (r=-0.17;P<0.09). There were no substantial correlations between tumour size and progesterone receptor, plasma progesterone or estradiol. Adjustments for menstrual cycle day and age did not alter the above findings. The ratio of plasma prolactin and estrogen receptor was significantly greater (P<0.037) for the group of the patients that had started using oral contraceptives before the age of 20 as compared with the other patients. Consequently, the tumour size was significantly greater in the group of early users (P<0.003). The findings indicate that breast tumours developing in previous early users of oral contraceptives have a low estrogen receptor concentration, while these patients have plasma prolactin. The tumour size is greater in early users indicating a poorer prognosis than other women with breast cancer. As early use of oral contraceptives increases, breast cancer risk and a high ratio of plasma prolactin and estrogen receptor concentration of the primary tumour characterize early oral contraceptive users the ratio may be a valuable marker for the breast cancer risk.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Cancer och onkologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cancer and Oncology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Estrogen receptor

Marker

Oral contraceptive use

Plasma prolactin

Premenopausal breast cancer

Progesterone receptor

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)