Insulin levels and Body Mass Index in non-diabetic pre- and post-menopausal women with breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women; it is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study to investigate the role of insulin level and body mass index (BMI) as risk factors for breast cancer in non-diabetic pre- and post-menopausal women. 100 Sudanese women newly diagnosed with breast cancer were selected randomly and divided in two groups: 50 women pre-menopausal aged 26-46 years and 50 women post-menopausal aged 52-90 years. All patients were did not have other medical conditions. Radioimmunoassay used for serum insulin levels measurement, and BMI calculated by weight (kg)/height (m2). Among study population the mean levels of insulin in pre and post- menopausal showed increasing pattern from the normal levels (16.9±10.25 and 17.2±9.4 m Iu/L, respectively).Insulin levels were not correlated with BMI in pre and post-menopausal women with breast cancer (r=0.01, p=0.8 and r=0.02, p=0.8). Insulin level increased in normal weight pre-menopausal women (17.8±10.1 m Iu/L), while, the mean level of insulin was increased in normal weight, overweight and obese in postmenopausal (17.6±7.8, 17.1±11.3 and 19.2±11.0 m Iu/L, respectively).