Postmenopausal Minority Research Articles

Breast cancer and vitamin D in postmenopausal minorities.

17 Background: Bone health is a particular concern for breast cancer survivors, because these women have 15% higher fracture risk than women without a history of breast cancer. Many studies have suggested that vitamin D deficiency may be involved in breast cancer initiation, progression, and prognosis. This study examines the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among postmenopausal breast cancer patients in minority population. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the electronic records of 200 postmenopausal breast cancer patients from ethnic groups of blacks, Hispanics and Asians. Results: Of the 200 patients, 84 (42%) had their 25-OHD levels checked at least once. Of patients, 42.7% found body mass index (BMI)>30kg/m2. There was significant difference between race and BMI (p<0.05). Black Vitamin D deficiency (level< 20ng/mL) found in 35 (41.7%), vitamin D insufficiency (level range 20-30ng/mL) found in 30 (35.7%) of the patients. The median serum 25-OHD level was 21 (range 4-65ng/ml). The serum 25-OHD levels did not have significant difference among blacks and Hispanics. Tumor stages found negatively correlated with 25-OHD levels r=-0.227 and p=0.04. Conclusions: This study revealed that vitamin D deficiency has a high prevalence among postmenopausal breast cancer minority population. Data from Third National Health and Nutrition Examination survey showed that mean serum 25-OHD levels among white, Hispanic and black women were 76ng/ml, 56.7ng/ml and 45.3ng/ml, respectively. Also, prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency is reported in the studies among breast cancer patients are approximately 30%. Our data compared with this general population’s numbers is low; our median 25-OHD level was 21ng/ml. Our study found negative correlation with Vitamin D levels and stages of the breast cancer. Information is lacking on direct prognostic effect of vitamin D in breast cancer but this findings including our study support the hypothesis that vitamin D has a role in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. In the setting of breast cancer diagnosis either for bone health, or for breast cancer prognosis in postmenopausal women, we advocate routine 25-OHD levels screening for the vitamin D deficiency especially in minority populations would be beneficial.