SISTER STUDY RESEARCH

Air Pollutants and Breast Cancer Risk

Sister Study investigators led the largest US-based study to date of the association between outdoor air pollution exposure and breast cancer risk. The investigation pooled data from five large cohorts, including the Sister Study, that had estimated levels of exposure to three types of air pollution based on participants' residences. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which is often considered a measure of exposure to traffic-related air pollution, was positively associated with breast cancer overall. Ozone and air pollution made up of small particles (PM2.5) were both positively associated with the occurrence of hormone receptor negative breast cancers. This landmark study provides confirmation of a link between NO2 and breast cancer and presents new evidence that PM2.5 and ozone may be specifically linked to hormone receptor negative disease.

Learn more here:
Air Pollutants and Breast Cancer Risk: A Parallel Analysis of Five Large US Prospective Cohorts.