Serum levels of 25-OH vitamin D, folic acid and testosterone in patients with breast cancer: a case control study

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. To study factors causing breast cancer, various epidemiological and experimental studies are being conducted. A relation may exist between vitamin D, folic acid, testosterone, and various neoplasms.

Objectives: Detect the levels of vitamin D, folic acid, and testosterone in breast cancer of patients and healthy subjects, and determine the relation of the levels of vitamin D, folic acid, and testosterone with tumor histopathology, stage, and receptor status.

Methods: Eighty patients diagnosed with breast cancer and 20 controls (healthy volunteers) were enrolled in the study. Serum samples were collected from the patients and the controls, and examined using Roche E-170 with its own special kit.

Results: Folic acid levels were higher in the patient group and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.044). The levels of testosterone were lower in post-menopausal patients (p=0 .018). In stage I-II (early-stage) patients, vitamin D levels were higher, while in the stage III-IV (advanced-stage) patients, the levels were lower (p=0.048).

Conclusions: Low vitamin D levels may be related to poor prognosis. Low levels of folic acid were detected in the control group. Low levels of folic acid but high vitamin D and testosterone levels may be protective against breast cancer.