The Hygiene Hypothesis and Breast Cancer a Novel Application of an Etiologic Theory for Allergies, Asthma, and Other Immune Disorders
Abstract
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 is aiming to interview a population-based series of 500 Californian women recently diagnosed with breast cancer and 500 healthy control women as regards age-specific experiences relevant to microbial exposures. This project is currently at the end of Year 2. To date, we have interviewed over 350 study subjects and initiated new control ascertainment procedures using mailing list sampling methods. 8% of the 694 breast cancer cases identified as potentially eligible by the cancer registry were determined to be ineligible on the basis of vital status, language preference, or other factors. Preliminary estimates of participation rates are substantially lower than anticipated, with 54% of eligible cases interviewed, but 15% irrevocably refusing to participate and other cases soft-refusing or in process of being located or contacted. Data collection efforts are ongoing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA472125
Entities
People
- Christina A. Clarke
Organizations
- Cancer Prevention Institute of California