We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Events

09 Apr 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
15 Apr 2024 - 17 Apr 2024
23 Apr 2024 - 26 Apr 2024

Cholesterol Diagnosis Related to Breast Cancer Risk

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 22 Sep 2017
Print article
Image: Histopathology of breast cancer: intraductal carcinoma, comedo type, with distended duct with intact basement membrane and central tumor necrosis (Photo courtesy of Peter Abdelmessieh, DO, MSc).
Image: Histopathology of breast cancer: intraductal carcinoma, comedo type, with distended duct with intact basement membrane and central tumor necrosis (Photo courtesy of Peter Abdelmessieh, DO, MSc).
Breast cancer is a malignancy that begins when cells grow abnormally in breast tissue. Although men can also develop breast cancer, it is much more common in women. Among women around the globe, breast cancer is the most common cancer and the fifth most common cause of cancer death. In 2012, nearly 1.7 million new cases, a quarter of all new cancer cases in women, were diagnosed worldwide.

All animal cells need cholesterol to function normally and it is an essential component of cell walls. Cholesterol is also important for making vitamin D, compounds that aid digestion, and hormones. The blood transports cholesterol around the body inside lipoproteins, which are droplets of fat covered with protein. However, having too much cholesterol in the blood is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular conditions.

Scientists at Aston University (Birmingham, UK) collected information from over one million patients attending several hospitals in the North West of England between 2000 and 2013. They searched records from female participants aged 40 and over who were and were not diagnosed with high cholesterol at baseline (the start of the study period) and did not have breast cancer at that point. For their analysis, the team included 16,043 women who were diagnosed with high cholesterol and an age-matched group of the same number of women without high cholesterol for comparison. The average age of the women was 66 years.

The investigators found a lower proportion of the high-cholesterol group developed breast cancer, compared with the group that did not receive such a diagnosis at baseline (0.5% compared with 0.8%). Further analysis revealed significantly lower odds of breast cancer in the high-cholesterol patients (odds ratio of 0.67), compared with the patients who had not received such a diagnosis. The group that had been diagnosed with high cholesterol at baseline also had lower rates of death compared with the group that had not (13.8% compared with 23.7%). After taking into account age, ethnicity, and other factors known to influence premature death, the team found that the high-cholesterol group had significantly lower odds of death (odds ratio 0.60).

The team concluded that their large, longitudinal, retrospective study shows that diagnosis of high cholesterol has a highly protective effect on the subsequent development of breast cancer. Rahul Potluri, MD, a clinical scientist and the senior author of the study said, “If a diagnosis of high cholesterol leads to lower breast cancer rates this must either relate to something inherent in the condition or affected patients, or more likely, to treatment with widely used cholesterol lowering interventions such as statins.” The study was presented at the European Society of Cardiology ESC Congress, held August 26-30, 2017, in Barcelona, Spain.

Related Links:
Aston University

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Specimen Collection & Transport
Complement 3 (C3) Test
GPP-100 C3 Kit
New
Gold Member
Systemic Autoimmune Testing Assay
BioPlex 2200 ANA Screen with MDSS

Print article

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: MOF materials efficiently enrich cfDNA and cfRNA in blood through simple operational process (Photo courtesy of Science China Press)

Blood Circulating Nucleic Acid Enrichment Technique Enables Non-Invasive Liver Cancer Diagnosis

The ability to diagnose diseases early can significantly enhance the effectiveness of clinical treatments and improve survival rates. One promising approach for non-invasive early diagnosis is the use... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The OvaCis Rapid Test discriminates benign from malignant epithelial ovarian cysts (Photo courtesy of INEX)

Intra-Operative POC Device Distinguishes Between Benign and Malignant Ovarian Cysts within 15 Minutes

Ovarian cysts represent a significant health issue for women globally, with up to 10% experiencing this condition at some point in their lives. These cysts form when fluid collects within a thin membrane... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.