Reproductive history has profound effects on women’s risk of breast cancer. There is an increased risk of developing the disease associated with early menarche, a later menopause, and the absence or delay in childbearing, and pregnancy-associated breast cancer carries an elevated risk of mortality.
In this Frontiers Research Topic we will discuss the biology behind these risk factors, and what is understood about how the breast functions during the periods of menarche, menstrual cycling, pregnancy and menopause. Do we know what causes the breast to be particularly sensitive to cancer-initiating agents at the time of menarche and menopause? Why is early menarche a more significant factor for risk compared to late menopause? How does pregnancy elevate risk in the short term and protect against breast cancer overall? How do fluctuations in ovarian hormones affect breast cancer risk? We are interested in original research articles, short reports, reviews and opinion pieces.
Reproductive history has profound effects on women’s risk of breast cancer. There is an increased risk of developing the disease associated with early menarche, a later menopause, and the absence or delay in childbearing, and pregnancy-associated breast cancer carries an elevated risk of mortality.
In this Frontiers Research Topic we will discuss the biology behind these risk factors, and what is understood about how the breast functions during the periods of menarche, menstrual cycling, pregnancy and menopause. Do we know what causes the breast to be particularly sensitive to cancer-initiating agents at the time of menarche and menopause? Why is early menarche a more significant factor for risk compared to late menopause? How does pregnancy elevate risk in the short term and protect against breast cancer overall? How do fluctuations in ovarian hormones affect breast cancer risk? We are interested in original research articles, short reports, reviews and opinion pieces.
