Hygiene Hypothesis and Breast Cancer: A Novel Application of an Etiologic Theory for Allergies, Asthma, and Other Immune Disorders; Annual rept. 1 May 2007-30 Apr 2008

摘要

The hygiene hypothesis , the idea that reduced exposure to important microbes, especially in childhood, impacts development of asthma and allergies, may have application to breast cancer. This research project aims to explore the hygiene hypothesis as it might relate to breast cancer development, thereby assessing its utility for more comprehensive future research. This research project aimed to interview a population-based series of Californian women recently diagnosed with breast cancer and a matched set of healthy control women as regards age-specific experiences relevant to microbial exposures. This project is currently at the end of Year 3, with an approved one-year no-cost extension. To date, we have interviewed over 350 study subjects and carried new control ascertainment procedures using mailing list sampling methods. Of n=743 cases identified, we have successfully interviewed 51% (n=379). 9% were deemed ineligible to participate on the basis of being deceased, ill or unable to communicate due to senility or language. Regardless, proportions of cases refusing to participate in the study are higher than our original estimates, including 19% hard-refusing and 31% passively or soft refusing to participate.