Levels of Sex
Hormones May Be Associated With Increased Risk of Some Types of Breast Cancer
Behind the Cancer Headlines®
Circulating levels of several sex steroid hormones may be associated with an increased risk of estrogen receptor (ER)– and progesterone receptor (PR)–positive breast cancers, according to a new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Although hormone levels have been associated with the risk
of breast cancer among postmenopausal women, few studies have examined their
relationship with tumor receptor status or invasive versus in situ
status. Stacey A. Missmer, of Brigham and Women's
Hospital in
The researchers found a direct association between breast cancer risk and the level of both estrogens and androgens, but not the levels of progesterone or sex hormone binding globulin. The hormone levels were most strongly associated with the risk of ER–positive/PR–positive breast tumors. In addition, all hormone levels tended to be most strongly associated with in situ disease.
SOURCE:
Journal of the
National Cancer Institute,