Pharmaceutical Agents and Exogenous Hormones
Pharmaceutical agents may increase or decrease cancer risk. DCEG researchers actively investigate the use of over-the-counter medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (commonly known as NSAIDs), or prescription drugs like those that reduce cholesterol levels.
Exogenous hormones, like those commonly found in oral contraceptives or menopausal hormone therapy, or more rarely in medications like diethylstilbestrol (DES), are also associated with cancer risk. DCEG researchers evaluate the use of these medications, as well as how they relate to other factors to influence risk of breast, ovarian, or other cancers. Examples of studies include:
Barrett’s and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Consortium
An international consortium with epidemiologic studies of Barrett's Esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Analyses so far have included alcohol consumption, anthropometry, cigarette smoking, excess risk models, gastroesophageal reflux disease, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, reproductive factors, and genome-wide studies to identify susceptibility loci associated with Barrett’s esophagus and/or adenocarcinomas of the esophagus.
Bone Density and Cancer Risk: A Follow-Up Study of Women in the Fracture Intervention Trial (BFIT)
A retrospective cohort study that uses data from the FIT clinical trial to evaluate how bone mineral density of the hip is related to subsequent cancer risk; including a nested case-cohort study of circulating sex steroid hormones in relation to breast, endometrial, ovarian, and colorectal cancer risk
Columbia, Missouri Serum Bank Follow-up Study
A study established as part of NCI's Biological Markers Project to identify serum markers for breast cancer
DES Follow-up Study
A study investigating the long-term health consequences associated with exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES)
Follow-up Studies of Women Evaluated and Treated for Infertility
Retrospective cohort studies of women treated for infertility with ovulation-stimulating drugs to evaluate risk of breast and gynecologic cancers
Ultrasound Study of the Effects of Tamoxifen on Breast Tissue
A study using ultrasound tomography to define the time course of volumetric breast density changes among women receiving tamoxifen treatment