Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 and Breast Cancer

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) can cause breast cancer proliferation and stimulate normal breast epithelial cell proliferation in animal models. These authors studied the relation . . .

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) can cause breast cancer proliferation and stimulate normal breast epithelial cell proliferation in animal models. These authors studied the relation between breast cancer risk and circulating IGF-1 concentrations. Researchers measured blood levels of IGF-1 and IGF binding protein 3 in 32,826 women from the Nurses Health Study; 397 women with a recent diagnosis of breast cancer were age-matched with 620 controls. Data analysis controlled for menopausal status, smoking history, hormone use, age, and other possible confounders.

For the whole group, and for postmenopausal women, there was no association between IGF-I level and breast cancer. Among only the 76 premenopausal women, (mean age, 48) the relative r…

Reviewing Author

MA Shepard