Association of vitamin D level with breast lumps: A cross-sectional analytical study

Abstract

Introduction: Breast Cancer is the second most common cause of death (1.38 million, 10.9%) out of all cancer worldwide after lung cancer. A study conducted in 2017 ranked breast cancer as the second most common cancer among Indian females with age adjusted rate of 25.8 per 100000 women and mortality of 12.7 per 100,000 women. The relation between Vitamin D level and various breast lumps, both benign and malignant remain unclear. But multiple studies have reported the association of breast cancer with vitamin D deficiency. In India, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency ranges from 50-84%. Methodology: The study was conducted in Department of Surgery, NKPSIMS & LMH between the period of September 2017 to October 2019. A total of 90 patients with breast lumps were included in the study after taking informed consent and ruling out the exclusion criterion. Blood Vitamin D level were estimated before the commencement of treatment. After surgery, the specimen was sent for histopathological study. Result: A total of 90 patients were enrolled in this study, 56 patients with benign breast lump and 34 patients with malignant breast lump. Out of 56 patients with benign breast lump, 44 had Vitamin D deficiency. Out of 34 patients with malignant breast lump, 32 had vitamin D deficiency. The p-value was 0.04 which is significant. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among Indian females. This problem could be addressed by adequate sun exposure and dietary supplementation. Most of the vitamin D studies support the direct association between vitamin D deficiency and breast cancer risk. Further researches will strengthen this association of vitamin D deficiency and breast cancer.