The link between mammary cancer, excessive adipose tissue and cholesterol

Abstract

Mammary cancer remains the most frequent worldwide type of cancer in females. From a health point of view, it is a huge challenge. As a definition, we can say that a group of biologically and molecularly heterogeneous diseases is represented by mammary cancer. An important causal factor for this disease is genetic predisposition, especially mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. The mammary gland is stimulated by hormones both morphologically and physiologically. The most significant of these are estrogens. Estrogen is the main female hormone, but it is present in both females and males. Elevated levels of this hormone may increase the risk of developing mammary cancer. In post-climacteric excessive adipose tissue, estrogens biosynthesis is catalyzed by aromatase, converting adrenal androgens into estrogen. Risk factors for developing mammary cancer, such as excessive adipose tissue, age at menarche and the use of exogenous hormones may increase the risk of developing it. The aim of this paper is to show the link between cholesterol, excessive adipose tissue, and the increased risk of developing mammary cancer.