Nutritional and Genetic Determinants of Early Puberty.

摘要

Past studies suggest that early menarche, growth velocity, and specific hormonal patterns during breast development may be critical in determining risk of breast cancer later in life. Nutritional factors during childhood and puberty, and inherited genetic factors are suspected to interact in modulating these early-life exposures. However, the biological processes involved remain poorly understood. We propose to test the relationships between nutrition, genetic factors, hormonal levels and early life events contributing to breast cancer risk in a unique cohort of 323 adolescent girls of Caucasian or Asian ancestry originally recruited for the Female Adolescent Maturation (FAM) Study. These girls were studied twice, 2 years apart, for dietary intake, body size and composition, sexual maturation, growth and bone density. Data collection will be extended by conducting a third examination and obtaining blood samples for DNA genotyping and hormone analysis. A cross-sectional sample of additional girls were also recruited. We have completed study recruitment as of 06/30/07. To date, 283 girls have come in for study visits. Of the 283 girls, 106 are from the FAM cohort and 177 are new recruits from Kaiser. During the no- cost extension, we will complete data and sample collection, complete data entry, perform laboratory assays and analyze the data.