 |
|
Breast tenderness during hormone replacement therapy linked to elevated cancer risk
October 13, 2009Study looks at clinical trial that tested estrogen-plus-progestin combination
Women who developed new-onset breast tenderness after starting estrogen plus progestin hormone replacement therapy were at significantly higher risk for developing breast cancer than women on the combination therapy who didn't experience such tenderness, according to a new UCLA study.
The research, published in the Oct. 12 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, is based on data from more than 16,000 participants in the Women's Health Initiative estrogen-plus- progestin clinical trial. This trial was abruptly halted in July 2002 when researchers found that healthy menopausal women on the combination therapy had an elevated risk for invasive breast cancer.
Researchers do not know why breast tenderness indicates increased cancer risk among women on the combination therapy, said the new study's lead researcher, Dr. Carolyn J. Crandall, a clinical professor of general internal medicine and health services research at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
"Is it because the hormone therapy is causing breast-tissue cells to multiply more rapidly, which causes breast tenderness and at the same time indicates increased cancer risk? We need to figure out what makes certain women more susceptible to developing breast tenderness during hormone therapy than other women," Crandall said.
This study compared the daily use of oral conjugated equine estrogens (0.625 mg) plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (2.5 mg), or CEE+MPA, with the daily use of a placebo pill.
Of the participants in the trial, 8,506 took estrogen plus progestin and 8,102 were given placebos. Participants underwent mammography and clinical breast exams at the start of the trial and annually thereafter. Self-reported breast tenderness was assessed at the beginning of the trial and one year later, and invasive breast cancer over the next 5.6 years was confirmed by medical record review.
Women on the combination therapy who did not have breast tenderness at the trial's inception were found to have a threefold greater risk of developing tenderness at the one-year mark, compared with participants who were assigned placebos (36.1 percent vs. 11.8 percent). Among the women who did report breast tenderness at the beginning, the risk at one-year was about 1.26 times that of their counterparts on placebos.
Of the women who reported new-onset breast tenderness, 76.3 percent had been on the combination therapy.
Women in the combination therapy group who did not have breast tenderness at the outset but experienced new-onset tenderness at the first annual follow-up had a 48 percent higher risk of invasive breast cancer than their counterparts on combination therapy who did not have breast tenderness at the first-year follow-up.
"To our knowledge, no prior published studies have addressed whether there is an association between CEE+MPA-induced new-onset breast tenderness and breast cancer risk," Crandall said.
The study does have limitations. The data the researchers used assessed breast tenderness only annually and thus could have underestimated it. Also, the rates of women discontinuing the combination therapy and switching from placebos to active therapy were relatively high, though the researchers believe this could have decreased, rather than increased, the observed association between new-onset tenderness and cancer risk. And the results don't apply to other types of estrogen or progestin therapy.
University of California - Los Angeles
Researchers do not know why breast tenderness indicates increased cancer risk among women on the combination therapy, said the new study's lead researcher, Dr. Carolyn J. Crandall, a clinical professor of general internal medicine and health services research at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
"Is it because the hormone therapy is causing breast-tissue cells to multiply more rapidly, which causes breast tenderness and at the same time indicates increased cancer risk? We need to figure out what makes certain women more susceptible to developing breast tenderness during hormone therapy than other women," Crandall said.
This study compared the daily use of oral conjugated equine estrogens (0.625 mg) plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (2.5 mg), or CEE+MPA, with the daily use of a placebo pill.
Of the participants in the trial, 8,506 took estrogen plus progestin and 8,102 were given placebos. Participants underwent mammography and clinical breast exams at the start of the trial and annually thereafter. Self-reported breast tenderness was assessed at the beginning of the trial and one year later, and invasive breast cancer over the next 5.6 years was confirmed by medical record review.
Women on the combination therapy who did not have breast tenderness at the trial's inception were found to have a threefold greater risk of developing tenderness at the one-year mark, compared with participants who were assigned placebos (36.1 percent vs. 11.8 percent). Among the women who did report breast tenderness at the beginning, the risk at one-year was about 1.26 times that of their counterparts on placebos.
Of the women who reported new-onset breast tenderness, 76.3 percent had been on the combination therapy.
Women in the combination therapy group who did not have breast tenderness at the outset but experienced new-onset tenderness at the first annual follow-up had a 48 percent higher risk of invasive breast cancer than their counterparts on combination therapy who did not have breast tenderness at the first-year follow-up.
"To our knowledge, no prior published studies have addressed whether there is an association between CEE+MPA-induced new-onset breast tenderness and breast cancer risk," Crandall said.
The study does have limitations. The data the researchers used assessed breast tenderness only annually and thus could have underestimated it. Also, the rates of women discontinuing the combination therapy and switching from placebos to active therapy were relatively high, though the researchers believe this could have decreased, rather than increased, the observed association between new-onset tenderness and cancer risk. And the results don't apply to other types of estrogen or progestin therapy.
University of California - Los Angeles
Breast Tenderness Current Events and Breast Tenderness News RSSLow-dose estrogen shown safe and effective for metastatic breast cancer
When estrogen-lowering drugs no longer control metastatic breast cancer, the opposite strategy might work. Raising estrogen levels benefited 30 percent of women whose metastatic breast cancer no longer responded to standard anti-estrogen treatment.
Hormone replacement therapy improves sleep, sexuality and joint pain in older women
One of the world's longest and largest trials of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has found that post-menopausal women on HRT gain significant improvements in quality of life.
Over-the-counter anesthetic gel puts the squeeze on mammogram pain
The simple application of a pain-relieving gel may reduce the breast discomfort some women experience during mammography exams, according to the results of a clinical trial published in the online edition of Radiology.
Treatment for early prostate cancer associated with type of specialist seen
A new study analyzing men with localized prostate cancer shows that the specialty of the physician they see can influence the type of therapy they ultimately receive.
More than 6 months of hormone therapy doesn't help prostate cancer patients live longer
Prostate cancer patients treated with either radiation or surgery who use hormone therapy for longer than six months do not survive any longer than patients who use the treatment for a shorter amount of time.
Low doses of anti-depressant may help some women suffering from moderate-to-severe PMS
Some women who experience moderate-to-severe premenstrual syndrome may benefit from treatment with low doses of anti-depressant medication.
More Breast Tenderness Current Events and Breast Tenderness News Articles
 |
ghd Tenderness Shampoo, 8.5 oz. by ghd For all hair types. moisture, enhances shine and improves softness and manageability. Contains Panthenol (provitamin B5) to add strength, moisture and body. Contains UVA protection. |
 |
THOMPSON NUTRITIONAL PRODUCTS PMS Formula 60 tabs by THOMPSON NUTRITIONAL PRODUCTS PMS Relief contains herbs from many herb traditions combined with nutrients to relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome such as mood, fatigue, bloating, water retention, cramps, breast tenderness, headaches, and cravings while helping to regulate menstruation. |
 |
PMS Formula (32 servings) Herbal Tonic, Herbalist/MD-Formulated, Clinically Proven, Safe and Effective! by Organic Essentials For Life For those of you wishing to take their medicinal herbs in the time-tested old-fashioned way, this is as good as it gets. Starting from 76 scientifically validated medicinal herbs; Dr. Claude Matar Medicinal Teas are the best tea formulas scientific herbal medicine has to offer. Backed by years of experience with a large number of real patients and refined by their invaluable feedback, these therapeutic blends have been tested extensively for effectiveness and taste over the course of so many years. Dr. Claude Matar Medicinal Teas are exclusive and, for years, have only been available at doctors offices. QUALITY GUARANTEE: Dr. Claude Matar Medicinal Teas are guaranteed to be cultivated without chemicals, certified organic or ethically harvested in the wild, free from irradiation and... |
 |
Red Clover / 60 caps by Vitanica |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |