Women’s Health and Breast Cancer

Biography

Biography: Winnie Yeo

Abstract

The outcome of patients with early breast cancer is improved by adjuvant chemotherapy. However, chemotherapy may be associated with long term side-effects. In this prospective cross-sectional study, the objectives were to determine the incidence of hyperlipidaemias and the associated factors among premenopausal Chinese breast cancer patients after adjuvant chemotherapy. Eligibility criteria include Chinese patients with stage I-III breast cancer who were aged less than 45 at diagnosis. They should have received adjuvant chemotherapy, and should be within 3-10 years after diagnosis. Individual’ characteristics, anti-cancer treatments, body weight and height at the time of diagnosis prior to chemotherapy were collected. At study entry, patients had body weight and fasting blood lipids determined. Incidence of chemotherapy-related amenorrhoea and menopause were determined. Factors associated with hyperlipidaemias were analyzed. 280 patients entered the study. The median time from breast cancer diagnosis was 5.0 years. 91% developed chemotherapy-related amenorrhoea; 49% had become menopausal while 10% were peri-menopausal. At study entry, the mean weight gain was 1.8 kg; 52% were overweight/obese. Abnormal total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels occurred in 34.3%, 56.1%, 6.6% and 22.9% respectively. Overweight/obese and age were associated with hypercholesterolaemia. Tamoxifen was associated with reduced risk, while older age, corticosteroid premedication and having increase in BMI categories were associated with increased risk of abnormal LDL-cholesterol. Clinicians need to increase awareness of hyperlipidaemias which occurs frequently after adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Acknowledgement: This study was supported by Hong Kong Cancer Fund and Madam Diana Hon Fun Kong Donation for Cancer Research