Total Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels in Patients with Breast Cancer

High fat diet has long been considered as an important etiological factor in the development of breast cancer as per the principal dietary hypothesis [1]. The risk of development of breast cancer has also been found to increase with elevation in circulating lipid components except for high density lipopro-tein cholesterol [2]. It has been found that women with breast cancer excrete higher levels of neutral steroids and bile acids, although their dietary intake of total calories, total fat and cholesterol does not exceed as compared to the controls [3]. These women also have a higher endogenous synthesis of cholesterol than controls. Studies conducted earlier have revealed that controls have lower cholesterol and triglyceride blood levels as compared to the breast cancer patients [4-7]. We would like to share with the readers of Journal of Breast Cancer, the results of our hospital based case-control study conducted in the year 2001 to 2003. The study was conducted amongst 160 breast cancer patients from the outpatient ward and hospital admissions of the Departments of Surgery/Surgi-cal Oncology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. The criteria for selection of the patients was as follow: First, they should be proven cases of breast cancer by histopathology/cytopathology. Second, they should have not undergone any treatment specific for breast cancer. Third, they should not have suffered from any major chronic illness in the past, before the diagnosis of breast cancer so as to change their dietary pattern. Fourth, they should not have taken long course of any vitamin or mineral supplements during the last 1 year. Fifth, they should not be on corticosteroid therapy or suffering from hepatic disorders/severe malnutrition. One hundred and sixty normal healthy individuals accompanying the patients in the Department of Gastroenterology, Medicine and Surgery at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi constituted the control group. The criteria for selection of the controls was as follow: First, the attendants of patients who did not suffer from any major illness in the past. Second, they should not have taken long course of any vitamin or mineral supplements during the last 1 year. Third, they should not be on corticosteroid therapy or suffering from hepatic disorders or severe malnutrition. The study was ethically approved by the Ethics Committee of All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi. All the investigations to be performed were explained to the subjects and those …