Serum adrenal androgens in women with primary operable breast cancer and their relationship with age and body mass index

Several studies have found elevated levels of adrenal androgens in postmenopausal women and depressed levels in premenopausal women with breast cancer, suggesting a role for adrenal androgens in the aetiology of breast cancer. We have measured serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and androstenedione in 81 women with primary operable breast cancer and 62 age-matched controls. Results showed that serum levels of both adrenal androgens fell significantly with age in women with breast cancer (P=0.003). However, no relationship was observed between serum adrenal androgen levels and body mass index in either women with breast cancer or controls.