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Serum calcium levels are elevated among women with untreated postmenopausal breast cancer
Cancer Causes and Control, 11/03/09

Martin E et al. – The distribution of serum calcium levels among postmenopausal women with incident breast cancer was shifted significantly toward the right. These findings are consistent with an effect of early breast tumors on calcium homeostasis. However, the lack of association between serum calcium levels and tumor size or stage supports the hypothesis that subclinical hyperparathyroidism may increase the risk for breast cancer.

Methods

Hospital-based case–control study among postmenopausal women in Fargo, ND
Women aged 65 and older with newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed breast cancer
Controls aged 65 and older without clinical cancer who were seen at same hospital

Results

Data obtained on 190 white cases and 172 white controls
Primary hyperparathyroidism (an abnormally high calcium level confirmed by an abnormally high serum PTH) found in 3/190 cases and 0/172 controls
After excluding women with primary hyperparathyroidism, mean calcium levels among cases was 9.6 mg/dL (range, 7.5–11.0, SD = 0.47) vs. 9.4 mg/dL (7.7–10.5, 0.43) among the controls
Comparing women in top with women in bottom tertile of serum calcium, the multivariable-adjusted OR for breast cancer was 5.21 (95% CI: 2.59–10.48)
No relationship between serum calcium and tumor size or stage