Women aged 50 to 76 who use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) combining estrogen
and progestin may have a higher risk of lung cancer than non-users, a new study
has found.
Researchers said that although the risk is ‘duration-dependent,’ with women
taking HRT for 10-plus years at greatest risk of developing lung cancer, an
acceptable length of HRT has yet to be determined.
While the risk of developing lung cancer for women using estrogen plus progestin
HRT 10 years or longer was approximately 50 per cent more than women not using
HRT, this risk is actually quite small compared to the risk of smoking.
"Although HRT use has declined and is not recommended except for short-term
treatment of menopausal symptoms, our results indicate millions of women may
remain at risk of developing lung cancer," said Chris Slatore, principal
investigator and an assistant professor of medicine in the Oregon Health &
Science University School of Medicine , Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center
; and a member of the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute .
For the study, Slatore and colleagues reviewed data collected from 2000 to 2002
in the Vitamins and Lifestyle Study in Washington state.
They identified 36,588 peri- and postmenopausal participants aged 50 to 76 who
met their study criteria and followed them for six years using the Seattle-Puget
Sound Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results cancer registry.
At the end of the observation period, December 31, 2007, 344 of the participants
had developed lung cancer.
After adjusting for smoking, age and other factors that affect the risk of lung
cancer, the researchers determined the use of estrogen and progestin for 10 or
more years was associated with increased risk for lung cancer compared with no
use of HRT. They also found duration of use was associated with an advanced
stage of cancer at diagnosis.
Although the mechanisms underlying the association between HRT and lung cancer
are still unknown, the researchers report that genetic and environment
interactions likely play a role.
They also suggest that estrogen plus progestin may lead to more aggressive
disease or mask early symptoms, or HRT users may be less likely to see or
receive medical care in a timely fashion.
"These findings may be useful in counseling women about their risk of developing
lung cancer and prompt further research into the mechanisms underlying HRT and
increased lung cancer risk," said Slatore.
Source : Journal of Clinical Oncology
