# BREAST CANCER RISK IN WOMEN GIVEN DES IN PREGNANCY

> **NIH NIH R01** · BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS · 1988 · $249,204

## Abstract

This study proposes to continue the follow-up for risk of breast cancer of
cohorts of 3,033 women given DES in pregnancy and a matched cohort
(matching by age and source of prenatal care) of 3,033 women unexposed
during pregnancy.  At the last analysis as of August 1, 1981, some 5,000 of
the women were known alive and free of breast cancer.  That analysis
revealed an overall adjusted relative risk of breast cancer of 1.5 (95%
confidence interval of 1.1 to 2.0).  Cumulative risk over time was similar
up to 25 years after exposure at which time the incidence curves for
exposed and unexposed commenced to diverge.  Since the previous analysis,
considerable women have passed their 30th anniversary and more of
exposure.  With the proposed follow-up in this study, the women-years
observation for 30 years or more post-exposure will more than double that
in the previous analysis and will permit:  (i) a more precise estimate of
breast cancer risk, (ii) determination of whether the observed divergence
of cumulative breast cancer incidence continues with further duration of
follow-up, (iii) assessment of whether the increased breast cancer
incidence risk is reflected in mortality and (iv) allow for estimates of
risks of other cancers.

The study consists of a multi-institutional, collaborative effort with data
collection at three local sites and with a central data coordinating
center.  The study team consists essentially of those who undertook the
previous assembly, tracing and followup of the cohorts and who possess the
necessary data base to permit further follow-up.  As with the previous
follow-up efforts, subjects will be asked to complete and return
questionnaires.  For reported incident events of cancer, permission will be
sought to obtain medical records and microscopy slides for central review
by a pathologist.  For reported deaths, the death certificates will be
sought.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3179928
- **Project number:** 5R01CA040240-04
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FBYMGMHW4X95
- **Principal Investigator:** THEODORE COLTON
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $249,204
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1985-09-30 → 1990-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3179928

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3179928, BREAST CANCER RISK IN WOMEN GIVEN DES IN PREGNANCY (5R01CA040240-04). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3179928. Licensed CC0.

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