Association of Dyslipidemia, Increased Insulin Resistance, and Serum CA 15-3 with Increased Risk of Breast Cancer in Urban Areas of North and Central India

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the association of dyslipidemia and increased insulin resistance (IR) with increased breast cancer (BC) risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group comprised 110 premenopausal and 143 postmenopausal, untreated female BC patients in the age range of 29–72 years. Control group consisted of 117 premenopausal and 141 postmenopausal healthy females in the age range of 23–75. Approximately 8-ml blood samples were drawn to measure various biochemical parameters. Serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol were measured. Very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C) and LDL-C were calculated using Friedewald's formula. Serum insulin and serum CA 15-3 were estimated by immune enzymatic assay. IR was assessed using homeostasis model assessment IR index (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: Clinical variables in the case and control groups were compared using the unpaired Student's t-test. The crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by binary logistic regression analysis. Pearson's correlation analysis was used to determine the association between CA 15-3 and variables of interest. Total cholesterol, TG, LDL, VLDL, serum glucose, serum insulin, HOMA-IR, and serum CA 15-3 were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in BC patients compared to those in controls. Significant adjusted ORs with 95% CI were found to be fasting glucose, total cholesterol, and TGs. We also found a significant positive correlation between total cholesterol, TG, LDL, serum glucose, serum insulin, HOMA-IR, and serum CA 15-3. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the association between dyslipidemia, IR, and increased BC risk.