Table 11.
Adolescent and early adult intake of fruits and vegetables in relation to risk of breast cancer by estrogen and progesterone receptor status among women in Nurses’ Health Study II
| Breast cancer subtype | No of cases | HR (95% CI)* | P value for heterogeneity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adolescent total fruit intake (serving/day) | |||
| Estrogen and progesterone receptor positive | 722 | 0.91 (0.83 to 1.00) | 0.02 |
| Estrogen and progesterone receptor negative | 165 | 0.70 (0.57 to 0.86) | |
| Estrogen receptor positive and progesterone receptor negative | 111 | 1.03 (0.82 to 1.29) | |
| Early adulthood total fruit intake (serving/day) | |||
| Estrogen and progesterone receptor positive | 1634 | 0.95 (0.88 to 1.03) | 0.78 |
| Estrogen and progesterone receptor negative | 435 | 0.98 (0.85 to 1.13) | |
| Estrogen receptor positive and progesterone receptor negative | 251 | 0.90 (0.74 to 1.09) | |
| Adolescent total vegetable intake (serving/day) | |||
| Estrogen and progesterone receptor positive | 722 | 0.93 (0.87 to 1.00) | 0.19 |
| Estrogen and progesterone receptor negative | 165 | 0.91 (0.79 to 1.05) | |
| Estrogen receptor positive and progesterone receptor negative | 111 | 1.09 (0.93 to 1.28) | |
| Early adulthood total vegetable intake (serving/day) | |||
| Estrogen and progesterone receptor positive | 1634 | 0.97 (0.93 to 1.01) | 0.91 |
| Estrogen and progesterone receptor negative | 435 | 0.97 (0.90 to 1.05) | |
| Estrogen receptor positive and progesterone receptor negative | 251 | 0.99 (0.90 to 1.10) | |
*Multivariable model stratified by age in months at start of follow-up and calendar year of current questionnaire cycle and was simultaneously adjusted for race (white, non-white), family history of breast cancer in mother or sisters (yes, no), history of benign breast disease (yes, no), smoking (never, past, current 1-14/day, current 15-24/day, current ≥25/day), height (<157, 157-<165, 165-<173, ≥173 cm), BMI at age 18 (<18.5, 18.5-<22.5, 22.5-<25, 25.0-<30, ≥30.0), weight change since age 18 (continuous, missing indicator), age at menarche (<12, 12, 13, ≥14), parity and age at first birth (nulliparous, parity ≤2 and age at first birth <25, parity ≤2 and age at first birth 25-<30, parity ≤2 and age at first birth ≥30, parity 3-4 and age at first birth <25, parity 3-4 and age at first birth 25-<30, parity 3-4 and age at first birth ≥30, parity ≥5 and age at first birth <25, parity ≥5 and age at first birth ≥25), oral contraceptive use (never, past, current), alcohol intake (non-drinker, <5, 5-<15, ≥15 g/day), and energy (fifth). In postmenopausal women, we additionally adjusted for hormone use (postmenopausal never users, postmenopausal past users, postmenopausal current users), age at menopause (<45, 45-46, 47-48, 49-50, 51-52, ≥53). Among all women, we additionally adjusted for hormone use and menopausal status (premenopausal, postmenopausal never users, postmenopausal past users, postmenopausal current users, unknown menopausal status) and age at menopause (premenopausal, unknown menopause, <45, 45-46, 47-48, 49-50, 51-52, ≥53). For adolescent fruit and vegetable intake, we additionally adjusted for adolescent alcohol intake (non-drinker, <5, ≥5 g/day) and adolescent energy intake (instead of adult energy intake).