Abstract Background: Menopause is the time of life when menstrual cycles cease. Menopausal women are constantly exposed to biochemical and metabolic changes as some hormonal levels drop. These may subsequently give rise to some pathologic conditions. Aim: This study was aimed at assessing the risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease in menopausal women in Nnewi metropolis, Anambra State, Nigeria using Cancer Antigen (CA) 15-3 and Lipoprotein Associated Phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) as markers. Materials and Methods: A total of 135 (between 18 and 65 years) subjects were recruited for this study comprising 50 menopausal and 40 pre-menopausal subjects for the determination of CA 15-3; 30 menopausal and 15 pre-menopausal women for the measurement of Lp-PLA2 using the Enzyme Linked Immuno-sorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. Results: The mean serum levels of CA 15-3 and Lp-PLA2 were significantly higher (P<0.05) in menopausal subjects compared with the pre-menopausal group. However, non-significant positive correlation existed between the mean serum level of Lp-PLA2 and age in menopausal women (r= 0.084, p=0.660) whereas, the mean serum level of CA 15-3 significantly correlated positively with age in menopausal women (r= 0.690, p<0.001). Conclusion: The significantly elevated serum levels of Lp-PLA2 and CA 15-3 in menopausal subjects compared with the premenopausal group in addition with the strong positive correlation between CA 15-3 and age in menopausal women suggests increased breast cancer and cardiovascular risks in menopausal women especially in advanced age.
Keywords breast cancer, cardiovascular diseases, menopause, Carbohydrate Antigen 15-3, Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2.