Epidemiology
British Journal of Cancer (2004) 90, 115–117. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6601513 www.bjcancer.com
Published online 6 January 2004
Urinary endogenous sex hormone levels in postmenopausal women after caloric restriction in young adulthood
S G Elias1, N C Onland-Moret1, P H M Peeters1, S Rinaldi2, R Kaaks2, D E Grobbee1 and P A H van Noord1
- 1Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center, PO Box 85500, Utrecht 3508 GA, The Netherlands
- 2Hormones and Cancer Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 150 Cours Albert Thomas, Lyon 69372, France
Correspondence: Dr SG Elias, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, room Str.6.119, University Medical Center, P.O. Box 85060, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands. E-mail: s.elias@jc.azu.nl
Received 5 September 2003; Revised 22 October 2003; Accepted 22 October 2003.
Abstract
We investigated whether the 1944–1945 Dutch famine has affected postmenopausal sex hormone concentrations with data from 163 women (young adults during the famine). Urinary sex hormone concentrations showed modest elevations with increasing famine exposure. Effects were absent in parous women, but more pronounced in women who had never given birth.
Keywords:
caloric restriction, famine, sex hormones, parity, human
