No association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and mammographic density

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Nutritional Science
• Radiology

Background:

• Emerging evidence suggests vitamin D may offer protection against breast cancer.
• Previous studies indicate a potential link between vitamin D intake and reduced mammographic density, a breast cancer risk factor, though findings are inconsistent.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels and quantitative mammographic density.
• To explore potential interactions with calcium intake, menopausal status, and season.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative mammographic density and serum 25OHD levels were analyzed in 487 women without breast cancer.
• Statistical analyses included ANOVA, adjusted models for age and BMI, and stratification by dietary calcium, menopausal status, and season.

Main Results:

• No significant association was found between 25OHD levels and either percent mammographic density or total dense area.
• Stratification by season or menopausal status did not reveal any associations.
• A notable finding was that percent density and dense area were lowest among participants in the highest vitamin D quartile who also had calcium intake above the median.

Conclusions:

• Circulating vitamin D levels do not appear to be directly related to mammographic density in this cohort.
• The combination of high vitamin D and adequate calcium intake may be associated with reduced mammographic density, warranting further investigation.