PLASMA-LIPID ALTERATIONS IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN WITH BREAST-CANCER

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between plas ma lipid and lipoprotein levels, stage of disease and breast cancer ri sk in African-American women. The study population comprised 163 Afric an-American women: patients (n = 58) and controls (n = 105), with mean ages of 57.2 years and 47.7 years respectively. Approximately 71% and 56% of the women with breast cancer and the control population, respe ctively, were postmenopausal. Those with cancer had significantly high er education levels, P less than or equal to 0.01, and higher triglyce ride levels compared to the controls, P less than or equal to 0.001, b ut lower body mass index (BMI) levels, P less than or equal to 0.01. T here were no statistically significant differences observed in total c holesterol, high-density-lipoprotein-containing cholesterol and low-de nsity-lipoprotein-containing cholesterol between the patients and cont rols. After adjustments for age, education, BMI, and menopausal status , triglycerides remained significantly and positively associated with breast cancer risk. The significant correlation between the high level s of triglycerides and breast cancer risk (odds ratio = 5.12) may be a ttributed to differences in lipid metabolism between the women with br east cancer and controls, or to the consequences of breast cancer.