Plasma carotenoids and the risk of premalignant breast disease in women aged 50 and younger: a nested case–control study

Abstract

Purpose To examine the association of plasma carotenoids, micronutrients in fruits and vegetables, with risk of premalignant breast disease (PBD) in younger women. Methods Blood samples were collected at the Siteman Cancer Center between 2008 and 2012 from 3,537 women aged 50 or younger with no history of cancer or PBD. The analysis included 147 participants diagnosed with benign breast disease or breast carcinoma in situ during a 27-month followup and 293 controls. Cases and controls were matched on age, race/ethnicity, and date of and fasting status at blood draw. Plasma carotenoids were quantified. We used logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and linear regression to assess racial differences in plasma carotenoids. Results The risk reduction between the highest and lowest tertiles varied by carotenoid, with β-cryptoxanthin having the greatest reduction (OR 0.62; 95% CI, 0.62–1.09; Ptrend=0.056) and total carotenoids the least (OR 0.83; 95% CI, 0.48–1.44; Ptrend=0.12). We observed an inverse association between plasma carotenoids and risk of PBD in obese women (BMI≥30 kg/m2; 61 cases and 115 controls) but not lean women (BMI<25 kg/m2; 54 cases and 79 controls), although the interaction was not statistically significant. Compared to white women, black women had lower levels of α and β-carotene and higher levels of β-cryptoxanthin and lutein/zeaxanthin. Conclusions We observed suggestive inverse associations between plasma carotenoids and risk of PBD in younger women , consistent with inverse associations reported for invasive breast cancer. Carotenoids may play a role early in breast cancer development.

The Role of Diet, Physical Activity, Body Fatness, and Breastfeeding in Breast Cancer in Young Women: Epidemiological Evidence

“…Carotenoids may play a role in BC early development. The relative levels of the different types of carotenoids are important to take into account as well as a potential influence from other lifestyle factors 58 .…”

Joanne Knight Breast Health Cohort at Siteman Cancer Center

“…Plasma samples from the cohort have been evaluated for carotenoid concentrations and risk of proliferative benign breast disease diagnosed from baseline through April 2016 [ 22 ]. Among women under age 50 we observed that African Americans had lower levels of alpha and beta-carotene and higher levels of beta-cryptoxanthin and lutein/zeaxanthin.…”

An Updated Comprehensive Review on Vitamin A and Carotenoids in Breast Cancer: Mechanisms, Genetics, Assessment, Current Evidence, and Future Clinical Implications

“…Most studies demonstrated inverse associations between the concentration of retinol and carotenoids and the risk of breast cancer in pre- or post-menopausal women [ 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 ], even though not all of them were statistically significant ( Table 1 ) [ 52 , 113 , 114 , 116 , 117 , 118 ]. In particular, high serum or plasma concentrations of α- and β-carotene mostly exhibited a significantly reduced risk of invasive breast cancer, up to a 60–70% reduction in risk [ 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 112 ].…”

“…In particular, high serum or plasma concentrations of α- and β-carotene mostly exhibited a significantly reduced risk of invasive breast cancer, up to a 60–70% reduction in risk [ 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 112 ]. High levels of plasma carotenoids have also been found to be inversely associated with lower risks of overall cancer, as well as premalignant breast diseases such as benign breast disease or breast cancer in situ [ 113 , 118 ]. In addition, survival rates, recurrence risks, and other parameters of breast cancer were related with levels of retinol and carotenoids levels.…”