The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63912

Lee Ann Prebil, MPH, School of Public Health, Division of Public Health Biology and Epidemiology, University of California, Berkeley, 140 Warren Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, 925-586-8825, lprebil@uclink4.berkeley.edu and Rochelle Ereman, MS, MPH, Epidemiology Program, Marin County Department of Health & Human Services, 20 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael, CA 94903.

Socioeconomic status (SES) has been independently, positively associated with breast cancer incidence. Breast cancer incidence in Marin County, California, is the highest in California and is among the highest in the US. Marin’s unusually high SES has been posited as the reason for the excess incidence, but other than childbearing patterns, factors related to SES and that underlie this association have not been delineated. To determine the relationship between SES and breast cancer risk factors, we analyzed survey data from the 2001 Marin Community Health Survey (MCHS). The MCHS used random digit dialing to obtain a probability sample of 4,821 adult residents. Data included sociodemographic and breast cancer risk factor information. Multivariable models were used to examine the association between risk factors and household income, controlling for age. Income ranged from <$10,000/year (4.7%) to >$150,000/year (12.2%), and was recoded to reflect approximate tertiles (<$50,000, $50,000-100,000, >=$100,000). Significant negative associations were found between higher income and BMI, hours sitting on weekends, and smoking history (p<0.05). Significant positive associations were found between income and height, birth control use, childbearing history (having been pregnant and having given birth, and age at first full term pregnancy), breastfeeding, alcohol consumption, exercise frequency, hours sitting on weekdays, fruit, vegetable, and dairy consumption, and HRT use (p<0.05). Parity was not linearly related to SES. These results defy some beliefs about risk factor distribution, provide empirical information about factors that may underlie Marin’s breast cancer rates, and provide data to inform the relationship between SES and breast cancer.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
• Describe the effect of income on the distribution of breast cancer risk factors
• Generate hypotheses about the reasons for excesses in regional or local breast cancer incidence rates.
• Identify lifestyle and behavioral factors that indicate intervention.

Keywords: Breast Cancer, Social Class

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.