Antioxidant Status of Breast, Cervical and Ovarian Cancer Patients at Various Menopausal Stages in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Cancer is a collection of diseases which involves the abnormal growth of cells with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. The aim of this study is to access the antioxidant status of women with female predominant cancer (breast, cervical and ovarian) in relationship with their menopausal stages. Blood samples were collected from 180 freshly diagnosed female patients of breast, cervical and ovarian cancer at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Idi- Araba, Mushin, Lagos and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Ikeja, Lagos and 60 relatively healthy subjects at different menopausal stages. Serum catalase (CAT), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activites, Reduced Glutathione (GSH), Vitamin C and E concentrations were evaluated in subject’s blood sample using standard established methods. The results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis (p<0.05). However, the results of the female cancer patients at each menopausal stage were compared to premenopausal, menopausal and postmenopausal control groups, while the results obtained from the menopausal and postmenopausal control subjects were compared to the premenopausal control subjects. There was significant decrease (p<0.05) in the activities of CAT, SOD and in the concentrations of GSH, Vitamins C and E in all the menopausal stages when compared to the control groups. However, MDA concentrations showed significant increase (p<0.05) in all the menopausal stages in comparison to the corresponding control groups. These findings suggest that cancer patients might be at risk from oxidative cell damage. Therefore, further research is required in this field with a view of improving the management of cancers predominant in females.