Due to demographic change, the proportion of older people in the population will increase and with it age-associated diseases such as osteoporosis and cancer. Osteoporosis and breast cancer are two common diseases in postmenopausal women. High lifelong oestrogen exposure is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. Bone mass reflects oestrogen exposure. There is supporting documents that bone density is positively associated with breast cancer risk and inversely associated with colon cancer risk.
Using data from the Vorarlberg Health Monitoring&Prevention Programme (VHM&PP), we are investigating the importance of bone density as an intermediate factor in tumourigenesis in women.
| Co-operation partner: | Dr Hans Concin, aks Bregenz, Austria |
| Funded by: | H.W. & J. Hector Foundation |