Cholesterol-cancer clues.Cholesterol-cancer clues Heart disease risk decreases with increasing blood levels of the so-called "good" cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein high-density lipoprotein n. Abbr. HDL A lipoprotein that contains relatively small amounts of cholesterol and triglycerides and is associated with a decreased risk of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. (HDL (Hardware Description Language) A language used to describe the functions of an electronic circuit for documentation, simulation or logic synthesis (or all three). Although many proprietary HDLs have been developed, Verilog and VHDL are the major standards. ). On average, women in the United States have higher HDL levels than men -- which may help explain women's lower rate of heart disease. But mounting evidence also suggests that higher-than-average HDL levels in women may signal an increased risk of breast cancer. HDL levels may one day help physicians identify women at high risk for breast cancer, says Norman F. Boyd of the Ontario Cancer Institute The Ontario Cancer Institute (OCI), Canada's first dedicated cancer hospital, opened officially and began to receive patients in 1958, although its research divisions had begun work a year earlier. in Toronto, who coauthored a review paper on HDL's link to breast cancer in the March 21 JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE. He adds, however, that more studies are needed to establish that link. The researchers noted strong evidence that women living in the United States and Northern Europe have higher HDL levels and breast cancer rates than women in Asia. Women who have never been pregnant and those of above-average socioeconomic status socioeconomic status, n the position of an individual on a socio-economic scale that measures such factors as education, income, type of occupation, place of residence, and in some populations, ethnicity and religion. generally have high HDL levels. Moreover, HDL rises with increasing alcohol and fat intake--two dietary factors thought to increase breast cancer risk. Existing data conflict on whether HDL and breast cancer risk rise with estrogen replacement therapy estrogen replacement therapy n. Abbr. ERT The administration of estrogen, especially in postmenopausal women, to relieve symptoms and conditions associated with estrogen deficiency, such as hot flashes and osteoporosis. , oral contraceptive oral contraceptive n. A pill, typically containing estrogen or progesterone, that prevents conception or pregnancy. Also called birth control pill. use or obesity. Preliminary studies have suggested that higher HDL levels correlate with a family history of breast cancer and with mammograms indicating abnormal cell growth thought to increase breast cancer risk. In addition, the researchers note, two studies have shown that HDL stimulates the growth of various tumor cells in vitro, including breast cancer. |
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