Current smoking is associated with a larger waist circumference and a more androgenic profile in young healthy women from high-risk breast cancer families

Abstract

The purpose was to elucidate the interplay between current smoking, anthropometric measurements, and endogenous hormone levels in women ≤ 40 years. Questionnaires on lifestyle and reproductive factors were completed by 269 healthy women from high-risk breast cancer families between 1996 and 2006 in Sweden. Blood samples for analyses of plasma testosterone, estradiol, androstenedione, sex hormone-binding globulin, and body measurements were obtained 5–10 days before predicted onset of the next menstrual period. Women without smoking status, who were currently breastfeeding, or using hormonal contraception other than combined oral contraceptives (OCs) were excluded (n = 27). Current smokers (n = 57) had larger waist circumference ( adj p = 0.004) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) ( adj p = 0.007) than non-smokers (n = 185). In non-OC users, adjusted mean androstenedione levels were higher in current smokers compared with non-smokers (10.3 vs. 8.6 nmol/L; adj p = 0.0002). While in current OC users estradiol levels were higher in smokers compared with non-smokers (22.5 vs. 17.4 pg/mL; adj p = 0.012). In multivariable models, WHR was associated with both current smoking ( adj p ≤ 0.016) and higher levels of androstenedione ( adj p = 0.05) or bioavailable testosterone ( adj p = 0.001). Among non-OC users, a more androgenic profile was observed in current smokers compared with non-smokers, but not in current OC users. Irrespective of OC use, current smoking was associated with increased waist circumference.