Status of Bone Mineral Density Mammographic Breast Density and Serum Oestrogen and Calcium Levels: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background: Mammographic breast density (MBD) is a predictor of breast cancer while bone mineral density (BMD) is a marker of estrogen and calcium level. Aim: The objective of the study is to compare MBD, BMD, estrogen and calcium level between the cancer and control groups. Method: This case-control study was done on 40 women in each control and cancer group. The women had mammography and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry at Kuala Lumpur Hospital. Respondents were chosen using purposive sampling and women who had commenced cancer treatment were excluded from the study. Blood samples were taken to analyze serum estrogen and calcium level of the subjects. Results: The demographic characteristic of the control and cancer patients were similar in age, body mass index and menarche age. The mean of selected variables were compared between groups using independent t test and Mann-Whitney for continuous and categorical data respectively. There was significant difference for estrogen between the groups. Person correlation showed moderate correlation between estrogen level and BMD. Women with scattered fibroglandular breasts and dense breast were the most affected by cancer, multiple logistic regression showed significant difference between the groups for breast density ( P = 0.047) and estrogen level ( P = 0.002). Conclusion: There is significant difference between cancer and control group for MBD and estrogen level.