Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and C-Reactive Protein Levels in Breast Cancer Patients in Benin City, Nigeria

Introduction: Inflammation has been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. The inflammatory basis of breast cancer has not been evaluated in our environment. Objective: The purpose of this present study is to compare the level of some systemic inflammation markers in patients with breast cancer to those of apparently healthy populace in Benin City, Nigeria. Methodology: This is a case control study conducted in Benin City, Nigeria. Breast cancers patients recruited from central hospital Benin City and Controls from the general populace had their venous blood sampled and analyzed for Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and C-Reactive Proteins (CRP) levels using standardized laboratory methods. Results were analyzed using SAS 2004 model. Results: A total of 90 participants including 60 patient and 30 controls participated in this study. ESR and CRP were significantly elevated in Breast cancer patients (P<0.05). ESR correlated positively with CRP in the study populace. Conclusion: These findings support the fact that inflammation plays a role in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. These markers may be useful in prognostication and monitoring of patients response to therapy.