Breakthrough Generations Study Data reveals Factors behind Age at which Girls start their Periods - Femail
Source: breakthrough.org.uk
Published: 24 Nov 2010
Research using data from the Breakthrough Generations Study has shown a wide range of factors – some beginning before a child is born – affect the age at which a girl starts her periods. The results are published in the latest edition of the British Journal of Cancer.
Age at menarche (when periods begin) has long been established as a risk factor for breast cancer. Risk of the disease gradually increases with younger age at menarche and older age at menopause.
Using data from over 81,000 participants in the Breakthrough Generations Study, the results show that girls who were heavier and exercised less often were more likely to have an early menarche.
Other factors that are related to early menarche identified by the study team included girls who were not breast fed, had a low birth weight, were taller and non-white.
The Breakthrough Generations Study is a large and comprehensive study into the causes of breast cancer and a partnership between Breakthrough Breast Cancer and The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR). The study will follow the 100,000 UK women participants for the next 40 years to unravel the lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors that cause the disease.
Analysis leader Danielle Morris, from the ICR, said: “This research shows that there are factors that relate to age at first period, an important breast cancer risk factor, that begin very young, probably even before a child is born. Such factors, some beginning in the womb, may affect risk of developing breast cancer decades later.
“A girl who takes more exercise is likely to start her periods later in life. We know exercising regularly as an adult can help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. This study shows that exercising as a child could also potentially have an effect on breast cancer risk later in life.”
The Breakthrough Generations Study costs around £1 million each year to support, which pays for ongoing collection, storage and analysis. The study is supported by a range of funders, including M&S and Walk The Walk. Danielle Morris was funded to carry out this research by the Sir John Fisher Foundation and the Institute of Cancer Research.
Looking for female friendly erotica? Visit one of our partners:
Rate this story: <<< Back