Intake of whole grain products and risk of breast cancer by hormone receptor status and histology among postmenopausal women

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Rikke Egeberg
  • Anja Olsen
  • Loft, Steffen
  • Jane Christensen
  • Nina Føns Johnsen
  • Kim Overvad
  • Anne Tjønneland
No clear relationship between whole grain products and risk of breast cancer has been established. In a large prospective cohort study, we investigated the association between intake of whole grain products and risk of breast cancer by tumour receptor status [oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR)] and tumour histology (ductal/lobular). It was further investigated whether the association differed by use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The study included 25,278 postmenopausal women participating in the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health cohort study (1993-1997). During a mean follow-up time of 9.6 years, 978 breast cancer cases were diagnosed. Associations between intake of whole grain products and the breast cancer rate were analysed using Cox's regression model. A higher intake of whole grain products was not associated with a lower risk of breast cancer. Per an increment in intake of total whole grain products of 50 g per day the adjusted incidence rate ratio (95% confidence interval) was 1.01 (0.96-1.07). Intake of rye bread, oatmeal and whole grain bread was not associated with breast cancer risk. No association was observed between the intake of total or specific whole grain products and the risk of developing ER+, ER-, PR+, PR-, combined ER/PR status, ductal or lobular breast cancer. Furthermore, there was no interaction between intake of whole grain products and use of HRT on risk of breast cancer. In conclusion, intake of whole grain products was not associated with risk of breast cancer in a cohort of Danish postmenopausal women.
Original languageEnglish
JournalInternational Journal of Cancer
Volume124
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)745-50
Number of pages5
ISSN0020-7136
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009

Bibliographical note

Keywords: Breast Neoplasms; Cereals; Cohort Studies; Diet; Female; Hormone Replacement Therapy; Humans; Incidence; Middle Aged; Postmenopause; Proportional Hazards Models; Receptors, Estrogen; Receptors, Progesterone; Risk Factors

ID: 9910483