Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026

Changes in Mammary Gland Morphology and Breast Cancer Risk in Rats
Published on: October 16, 2010
Is maternal height a risk factor for breast cancer?
Pagona Lagiou1, Dimitrios Trichopoulos, Chung-Cheng Hsieh
1Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. pdlagiou@med.uoa.gr
Abstract:
We hypothesize that the link between height and the risk of breast cancer may, to some extent, be accounted for by an association between maternal height and the risk of breast cancer. Unlike mothers of smaller stature, among taller mothers, maternal size does not impose constraints on fetal growth, thus allowing growth-enhancing pregnancy hormones, including estriol and insulin-like growth factors, to exercise their growth potential and be positively associated with birth size and, thus, the risk of breast cancer.
Related Concept Videos
Nature and Nurture
Cancer Prevention
Some...
Polygenic Traits
Disorders of the Female Reproductive System
Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer
Heritability

