Korean J Nutr.  2006 Jan;39(1):28-34.

A Study on Zinc, Copper, Iron Nutritional Status of Women Patients with Breast Cancer in Korea

• Chun NR
• Kim EY
• Bae YJ
• Sung CJ

Abstract

This study was performed to compare nutrients intake and levels of three elements (iron, copper and zinc) in the plasma of breast cancer patients to those in healthy controls. Patients (n = 97) and their age-matched healthy control groups (n=97) participated in the study. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire specifically formulated to evaluate the consumption of nutrients was used to estimate dietary intake. Only plasma was taken from the 20 patients and their age-matched healthy control group. Plasma concentrations of iron, copper, zinc, ratio of Cu/Zn were measured in both groups. Results showed that patients consumed significantly lower protein, fat, iron. Plasma level of copper and ratio of Cu/Zn were significantly higher in patients compared to those of controls. In conclusion, change of trace elements in plasma might be useful and significant as biomakers involving the initial process. And these results imply that trace elements status is a factor related to breast cancer risk and suggest that proper intake of those nutrients is required for cancer prevention.

Keyword

breast cancer; food frequency questionary; iron; copper; zinc

MeSH Terms

Breast Neoplasms*
Breast*
Copper*
Female
Humans
Iron*
Korea*
Nutritional Status*
Plasma
Surveys and Questionnaires
Trace Elements
Zinc*
Copper
Iron
Trace Elements
Zinc