Metabolic Syndrome and Mammographic Density in Premenopausal Chilean Women

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been previously associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Mammographic density (MD) is a marker of breast cancer risk. There is little evidence of an association between MetS and MD in premenopausal women.

Through a cross-sectional study, we evaluated 364 premenopausal Chilean women in which we measured anthropometric, blood pressure, and metabolic markers. MetS and its components were defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Plan III criteria. We estimated MD by absolute dense volume (ADV, cm³), nondense volume (NDV, cm³), and percentage of dense volume (PDV, %). The relationship between MetS and MD was assessed by linear regression models.

After adjusting for sociodemographic and gyneco-obstetrics variables, nonsignificant association was found between MetS and ADV (log β = 0.10; 95%CI: -0.01, 0.21). However, abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, and number of components of MetS were directly related to higher ADV (P < 0.05).

Our results showed no association between MetS and ADV; nevertheless, abdominal obesity and triglycerides were related to higher ADV. If MD could be modifiable through nutritional factors, it would open new perspectives for the prevention of breast cancer through obesity prevention strategies at population level.