ADIPOQ and breast cancer: Previously, although some studies reported a negative correlation between serum adiponectin levels and postmenopausal MT development,[12,22,23] other studies did not find a significant difference in serum adiponectin levels in association with postmenopausal breast cancer or MT development.[5,22,23] In general, higher serum adiponectin levels have been correlated with reduced breast cancer risk (up to 65%).