Comparison of the plasma lipid levels in breast cancer patients with control group

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females and the second most
commom cause of cancer death among them. According to the increasing incidence and high
mortality rate of breast cancer, several ongoing studies have been carried out in order to recognize
and determine risk factors, prevention methods and early diagnosis of this cancer. In this study the
serum lipid levels were compared between patients suffering from breast cancer and a control
group.
Methods: A group of breast cancer patients were compared with an age-matched control group
who had normal physical exam and negative mammograms to rule out breast cancer. Fasting
serum lipid levels were determined and then the data were analyzed by SPSS software.
Results: Triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were higher in breast cancer patients
(P<0.05), but Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) and High Density Lipoprotein
Cholesterol (HDL-C) showed insignificant statistically difference between the two groups (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The elevated serum levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol may be correlated
with increased risk of breast cancer. So evaluation and monitoring of lipid profile in high risk
patients is recommended.