[High-risk group--breast cancer].

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Epidemiology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Breast cancer mortality rates in Japan were historically low but have risen significantly.
• Dietary westernization and lifestyle changes are suspected drivers of this increase.
• Established risk factors include family history, mammary disease, and reproductive history.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between anthropometric measurements and breast cancer risk.
• To explore the impact of dietary patterns and menarche/menopause timing on breast cancer incidence.
• To analyze trends in breast cancer age of onset in Japan.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of weight and height between breast cancer patients and healthy women.
• Epidemiological assessment of dietary habits (high fat/high protein) and their association with breast cancer.
• Analysis of menarche and menopause timing in relation to breast cancer occurrence.

Main Results:

• Breast cancer patients exhibited significantly larger weight and height compared to control women.
• Dietary westernization, characterized by high fat/high protein intake, is strongly implicated in rising breast cancer rates.
• Extended reproductive periods, due to early menarche and late menopause, are identified as a key contributing factor.

Conclusions:

• Increased body size and prolonged menstruation are critical factors in the rising incidence of breast cancer in Japan.
• Dietary shifts towards Western patterns are a primary driver of these changes.
• The age of breast cancer onset in Japan is shifting towards older age groups, mirroring Western trends.