The complexity of breast cancer etiology has puzzled scientists for more than 300 years. In this brief review, we emphasize the importance of reproductive and hormonal factors in relation to the risk of breast cancer. By following the historical course of how various risk factors have been determined, this study attempts to illustrate the origin of hypotheses, their subsequent rejection, and de...

During the last decade, there has been increasing interest in the use of biomarkers in cancer epidemiology to enhance exposure assessment, to gain insight into disease mechanism, and to understand acquired or inherited susceptibility. To facilitate the use of biomarkers in health research, biomarkers have been divided into categories that depict the spectrum of cancer pathogenesis from exposure...

In November 1974, in response to a mandate in the revised National Cancer Act of 1974, a plan was introduced for the formation of a Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer Program. Dr. Frank J. Rauscher, Director of the National Cancer Institute, selected a group of scientists who defined the goals of the program and recommended the appointment of a program director and of an advisory committee. These reco...

Antibodies have been developed against a wide array of carcinogen-DNA adducts as well as UV-damaged or oxidized bases. Their sensitivity for the detection of DNA damage in humans has been demonstrated in numerous studies of occupational, dietary, environmental, clinical, and lifestyle exposures. Unlike the postlabeling assay that can detect multiple hydrophobic carcinogen adducts in a single ex...

Primary prevention aimed at avoiding or drastically reducing exposures will be the most efficient way to prevent environmentally associated cancers.