[Fatty acid composition of phospholipids of erythrocyte membranes and risk of breast cancer].

Five fatty acids, two saturated--palmitic (C16:0), stearic (C18:0), and three unsaturated--oleic (C18:1), linoleic (C18:2) and arachidonic (C20:4) were assayed in red cell membranes of breast cancer patients and healthy controls. No significant difference in the levels of saturated fatty acids was established between the two groups, although mean values were somewhat lower in cancer patients. Mean levels of unsaturated fatty acids were also lower in breast cancer patients, with the difference being significant for arachidonic acid in postmenopausal women. There was no significant difference in polyunsaturated/saturated acid ratio between patients and controls in either cycling or postmenopausal group. In controls, the levels of the fatty acids checked, particularly, those of arachidonic acid were higher in menopause than in premenopause. However, no difference in the fatty acid levels was observed between pre- and postmenopausal cancer patients.