Abstract
Objectives
We conducted a systematic review of the literature relating early life socioeconomic position (SEP) to breast cancer incidence and mortality from a critical period and life-course trajectory perspective.
Methods
PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched to identify cohort studies that evaluated the impact of early life SEP indicators on the incidence and/or mortality from breast cancer in adulthood.
Results
Nine distinct studies evaluated the relationship between early life SEP and breast cancer between 1990 and 2016. Five reports assessed breast cancer incidence and five assessed breast cancer mortality as outcomes; one study assessed both incidence and mortality. While lower early life SEP was associated with reduced breast cancer incidence and increased breast cancer mortality in the US, studies conducted in Europe were unable to establish a consistent association.
Conclusions
We found moderate support for the association between early life SEP and incidence and mortality from breast cancer. The impact of early life SEP on breast cancer incidence and mortality appeared to vary between countries. We urge further investigation of the role of lifelong SEP trajectories in breast cancer outcomes.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Felicia Widjaja and Grace Kim for assistance with data collection and management.
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M-LF conducted the literature search. Dr. TA, Mr. JD and Ms. MI synthesized data from included studies and prepared the first draft of the manuscript. Drs. DR and RH participated in the writing of the manuscript. Dr. DB oversaw concept design, analysis, and interpretation of the data. All authors approved the last draft of the manuscript.
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The funders had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; and preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript. The authors have no further financial relationship with the funders.
Funding
This research was supported in part by Grant # 121891-MRSG-12-007-01-CPHPS from the American Cancer Society.
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This article is part of the special issue “Life course influences and cancer risk”.
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Akinyemiju, T.F., Demb, J., Izano, M.A. et al. The association of early life socioeconomic position on breast cancer incidence and mortality: a systematic review. Int J Public Health 63, 787–797 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-017-1060-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-017-1060-8