A recent study published in JAMA Network Open reveals a concerning trend in breast cancer rates among Caribbean women. Researchers from the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine have found that shifting reproductive health patterns may be contributing to higher breast cancer risk in this population.
The study, which examined 995 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer across seven Caribbean countries, uncovered significant changes across generations. Women born in more recent decades experienced their first menstrual cycles at earlier ages and had fewer children compared to previous generations. These factors are known to increase breast cancer risk due to prolonged exposure to estrogen and other hormones.
Dr. Sophia George (above), the study’s corresponding author, emphasized the impact of these findings. “These changes are compounding the already known increased risk for developing these aggressive diseases,” she stated. The research shows that women whose first menstrual cycle occurred at age 12 or earlier were diagnosed with breast cancer on average at age 45, compared to age 49 for those who began menstruating at 15 or later.
The implications of this study extend beyond the Caribbean. With a large Caribbean population in South Florida, the findings are particularly relevant for local healthcare providers. Dr. George stressed the importance of understanding the specific needs of the community Sylvester serves.
Public health experts are calling for renewed emphasis on modifiable risk factors. Dr. Jameel Ali from Trinidad and Tobago highlighted the need for proactive interventions in lifestyle, exercise, obesity management, and diet, including alcohol intake.
As socioeconomic development continues to influence reproductive patterns, this research underscores the critical need for targeted public health strategies to address the rising breast cancer risk among Caribbean women.
See “Exploring reasons for higher breast cancer risk among Caribbean women” (October 24, 2024)
