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Abstract
Diets low in omega-6 (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and high in omega-3 (n-3) PUFAs may protect against breast cancer development. Associations of PUFA intake with mammographic density, an intermediate marker of breast cancer risk, have been inconsistent; however, prior studies have relied on self-reported dietary PUFA intake. We examined the association between circulating erythrocyte n-6 and n-3 PUFAs with mammographic density in 248 postmenopausal women who were not taking exogenous hormones. PUFAs in erythrocytes were measured by gas-liquid chromatography, and mammographic density was assessed quantitatively by planimetry. Spearman's correlation coefficients and generalized linear models were used to evaluate the relationships between PUFA measures and mammographic density. None of the erythrocyte n-6 or n-3 PUFA measures were associated with percent density or dense breast area.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This article was supported by NIH grants R25-CA57703, K07-CA80668, R21-CA95113, and P20 CA103730-02; Department of Defense grants DAMD17-02-1-0553 and W81 XWH-06-1-0532; and Pennsylvania Department of Health grant P2777693. Additional support was provided by funds received from the NIH/National Center for Research Resources/General Clinical Research Center grant MO1-RR000056.