A temporal analysis of the association between breast cancer and socioeconomic and environmental factors

Although some biological factors have been confirmed to increase the risk of breast cancer, they only account for a small portion of the overall incidence in females. Women’s socioeconomic status and hazardous exposures to potential breast cancer carcinogens could modify their risks of breast cancer. From a public health perspective, it is important to understand what socioeconomic and environmental factors are associated with an elevated risk of breast cancer and how they vary geographically, temporally, and among different populations. Using an integrated approach, this study examines the associations between the incidence rate of invasive breast cancer and socioeconomic characteristics and environmental risks over time in Illinois for two periods: 1999–2003 and 2009–2013. Based on data from the US Census, ACS, and EPA, this study builds two sets of regression models to investigate the associations. The findings reveal that compared to environmental risks, socioeconomic factors are much more significant factors associated with the risk of breast cancer. The significant explanatory variables differ somehow between the two periods, yet with some agreement. Among the environmental risk variables examined, two toxic carcinogens, ethylene oxide and benzene were associated with an elevated risk of breast cancer for each time period respectively.