Frontiers in Oncology · 4 authors, 4 centres
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This scoping review of five U.S.-based studies found a statistically significant associative relationship between accelerated age measured by DNA methylation epigenetic clocks and breast cancer risk, but noted gaps in research on social factors and diverse populations.
This scoping review synthesized evidence from five U.S.-based primary studies examining the association between DNA methylation accelerated age (measured by epigenetic clocks) and breast cancer risk. The review found that across the included studies, which used ten different epigenetic clocks, there was a statistically significant associative relationship with breast cancer risk. However, the review identified key limitations: the studies did not comprehensively consider social factors or epidemiological risk factors, lacked representation of ancestrally diverse populations, and used varying biosamples (blood, breast tissue), complicating comparisons. The authors conclude that DNA methylation accelerated age may offer insights for understanding breast cancer patterns and disparities, but more research is needed across the lifespan, during menopausal transition, and in diverse populations.
