The Comparison of Serum 17?–Estradiol Levels and Its Relationship with Some Breast Cancer Risk Factors in Athlete and Non-Athlete Postmenopausal Women

The aim of this study was to compare serum 17?-estradiol (breast cancer biomarker) levels and its relationship with some breast cancer risk factors in athlete and non-athlete postmenopausal women. 19 postmenopausal body building athletes aged 53.57±7.87 years and 21 postmenopausal non-athletes aged 56.61±5.17 years in Urmia province participated in this study. 17?-estradiol concentrations were measured by electrochemiluminescence. All participants completed a questionnaire witch included details of age, menarche age, menopause age, pregnant age, null parity, family history, alcohol consumption and smoking. Body fat percentage and body mass were measured by body logic/body fat and lyzer (Omron Model). Variables were compared by independent t test and the relationship among variables by Pierson correlation coefficient. Athlete women had lower serum estradiol concentration, BMI and ratio of waist to hip than non-athlete women. But this difference was not significant (P<0.05) and only body fat percentage significantly differed (P=0.044). There was no relationship among weight, age, body fat percentage, ratio of waist to hip, BMI and serum concentration of estradiol in subjects. Senescence, early menses, late onset of menopause, pregnancy, alcohol consumption and smoking risk factors were lower in athlete women than non-athlete women. This study showed that although low body fat percentage and estradiol exposure, late menarche and early menopause in athlete women can indicate low breast cancer risk, an insignificant difference in serum estradiol between athlete and non-athlete women can be the result of athlete women's irregular intensity and duration of exercises