Sex Hormones Linked to Breast Cancer
Reported December 28, 2004
(Ivanhoe Newswire) — There are several different types of breast cancer. Researchers now focus studies on connecting different types of cancers with their different risk factors.
A new study shows there is an association between the level of sex hormones and an increased risk of estrogen breast cancer.
Receptors for the female hormones estrogen and progesterone play a key role in breast cancer. These receptors are the eyes and ears of the cells, receiving and interpreting messages sent by the hormones. Estrogen and progesterone stimulate growth of normal breast cells as well as some breast cancer cells.
Previous research has shown a connection between hormone levels and the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. However, few studies have looked at the relationship between these levels and the type of cancer. Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston investigated this relationship in 1,000 different women.
Blood samples were collected from the participants. Of the women in the study, 322 cases of breast cancer were reported. Researchers looked at the different types of cancer and the hormone levels to determine if there was an association.
Study authors report a direct association between breast cancer risk and the level of both estrogens and androgens. Also, in the patients with estrogen and progesterone positive receptors, there were higher sex hormone levels.
Researchers conclude higher levels of sex hormones may be strongly associated with the risk of estrogen and progesterone positive breast tumors.
SOURCE: Journal of National Cancer Institute, 2004;96:1856-1865
