Reduced breast cancer rates in South Asian and black women are likely to be related to lifestyle, researchers say today.
In England, the rate of breast cancer is lower in black and South Asian women than white women.
Using figures from the Million Women Study, Dr Toral Gathani and colleagues from Oxford University, UK, investigated this pattern. Participants were recruited from 1996 to 2001, aged 50 to 64 years. They filled in regular questionnaires on lifestyle and other risk factors, and this information was cross-referenced against NHS cancer registries.
South Asian women had an 18% lower rate of breast cancer than white women, and black women had a 15% lower rate of breast cancer. Comparisons showed that South Asian and black women tend to drink less alcohol and have more children than white women. These factors both influence breast cancer risk. Once lifestyle and reproductive factors were removed, breast cancer risk was similar for women of all ethnic groups, suggesting no major genetic influence.
The study is published today (8 January) in the British Journal of Cancer. The authors say that as second and subsequent generation women of ethnic minority origin change to a typically English lifestyle, their risk of breast cancer will rise.
"It’s important for women of all ethnic groups to understand what are the modifiable risk factors for breast cancer, such as obesity and excessive alcohol consumption, and to take measures to reduce their risk," said Dr Gathani.
Dr Julie Sharp of Cancer Research UK adds: "Women can reduce their risk of breast cancer by cutting down on alcohol, keeping a healthy weight by eating a balanced diet and by keeping active."
Gathani, T. et al. Ethnic differences in breast cancer incidence in England are due to difference in known risk factors for the disease: prospective study. British Journal of Cancer 8 January 2014
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