Background: The type of silhouette and quantity of fat tissue are correlated with hormonal imbalance which plays
a substantial role in breast carcinogenesis. The goal of the study was to investigate the association between various
anthropometric characteristics and breast cancer risk.
Methods: Detailed anthropometric assessment was conducted on 487 women of whom 193 had diagnosed
breast cancer and were consecutive patients in the Oncology Center, Cracow, Poland between 2002 and
2004. Measurements were divided into four categories: overall body size (body mass index [BMI], waist
circumference [WC], waist-hip ratio [WHR]), regional body sizes (skinfold thicknesses, circumferences), thickness
of the skeleton (widths, chest diameters), and body proportions. Additionally, results were analyzed in regar,
to menopausal status. Differences between groups were assessed using Student’s t test and Mann-Whitney’s
test. Models of logistic regression for selected data were built to estimate the odds ratio. Results were
considered statistically significant when the P value was less than 0.05.
Results: The BMI in both groups was negatively associated with the risk of cancer. Among premenopausal
women, WHR increased the risk of breast cancer (WHR > 0.83, OR, 2.72; 95 % CI, 1.01-7.27). Anthropometric
indices of hip-to-shoulder ratio in postmenopausal (≥84.2 mm, OR, 0.02; 95 % CI, 0.01-0.11) and trunk-to-height
ratio in both premenopausal women (≥32.76, OR, 0.09; 95 % CI, 0.03-0.28) and postmenopausal women (≥32.76,
OR, 0.13; 95 % CI, 0.05-0.33) were strongly related to a decreased risk of breast cancer. Thicknesses of the triceps
and subscapular skinfolds increased the risk of breast cancer.
Conclusions: Women with breast cancer present with an obese type of silhouette with a specific concentration
of fat tissue in the central and upper parts of the body.