High cholesterol
may boost chances for breast cancer recurrence

Canadian scientists report in the journal Breast Cancer Research and Treatment that elevated total cholesterol levels may increase the risk of breast cancer recurrence. The researchers say prior studies have already shown that obesity and insulin resistance can boost breast cancer recurrence chances and that high cholesterol levels are often tied to both conditions. But their new study included 520 women of average weight who had normal blood-insulin levels and who had been treated for breast cancer. The new findings showed that women with high total cholesterol levels were at a slightly greater risk for breast cancer recurrence than those with low or average cholesterol counts. Elevated triglyceride levels, however, appeared to have no effect on cancer risks.

The researchers are calling for additional studies into the effect of cholesterol on breast cancer to confirm their findings.

Studies have shown that lesbians may be at a higher risk for breast cancer than their heterosexual peers. (Advocate.com)