Risk factors of atherosclerosis in patients with history of breast cancer

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of the risk factor of atherosclerosis in patients with history of breast cancer. C-reactive protein, lipoprotein (a), cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, homocysteine, fibrinogen, glucose, magnesium, uric acid, and urinary albumin were determined by routine methods in 61 patients with history of breast cancer and 74 control subjects. Urinary neopterin and creatinine concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, and intima-media thickness was determined sonographically. Breast cancer patients were significantly older and also had higher systolic blood pressure, glycosylated hemoglobin, lipoprotein (a), serum neopterin, and intima-media thickness. Serum HDL cholesterol and magnesium concentrations were significantly higher in controls compared with patients. Differential patterns of associations between the risk factors of atherosclerosis were observed in patients with history of breast cancer compared with controls. In conclusion, the prevalence of risk factors of atherosclerosis is high in patients with history of breast cancer. Differential associations between risk factors suggest possible differences in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in breast cancer patients and controls.