AIMS

Primary

1. To test the hypothesis that maternal concentrations of anti-angiogenic factors (i.e. sFlt-1, s-ENG) are reduced and pro-angiogenic factors (i.e. PlGF) are elevated in women who subsequently developed breast cancer compared with women who did not develop breast cancer.

Secondary

2. To test the hypothesis that maternal concentrations of reproductive hormones including estradiol, androstenedione, testosterone, prolactin and hCG differ between women who subsequently developed breast cancer compared with women who did not develop breast cancer. (progesterone, afp and IGF axis also interesting but have been looked at previously.)

3. if blood pressure is available To test the hypothesis that maternal concentrations of anti-angiogenic (i.e. sFlt-1, s-ENG) and pro-angiogenic (i.e. PlGF) factors mediate the association of high MAP, systolic blood pressure increases between the second and third trimesters and breast cancer risk. Also, if possible placental infarcts.

4. if data are available To test the hypothesis that MAP, blood pressure changes and placental characteristics are associated with risk of all cancers, and particularly site-specific tumors.