FYI - Estrogen Use and Breast Cancer Article in Journal Watch

[Guest guest]

My oncologist said I could use as little vaginal estrogen cream as I needed to

that would do the job (treat vaginal atrophy and dryness). This article didn't

find any increased risk with it, but did with other formulations. Ellie

Published in Journal Watch General Medicine January 18, 2007 Does

Estrogen-Only Postmenopausal Therapy Increase Breast Cancer Risk? Finnish

researchers looked for the answer among women taking oral or transdermal

estradiol, oral estriol, or vaginal estrogens.

No evidence of increased risk for breast cancer was found in the

estrogen-only arm of the Women’s Health Initiative, yet some uncertainty remains

because several retrospective studies had positive findings (Journal Watch Apr

25 2006). In this study, investigators examined national registry data from all

110,984 Finnish women older than 50 who used oral or transdermal estradiol, oral

estriol, or vaginal estrogens for at least 6 months during 1994–2001. All had

undergone hysterectomies, and none used progestogens. In follow-up through

2002, 2171 cases of breast cancer were identified. Estradiol use, either orally

or transdermally, for 5 years or more was associated with a 1.44-fold increased

risk for breast cancer. The risk increased with dose for oral but not

transdermal estradiol. Moreover, estradiol use was associated with increased

risk for in situ and localized cancer and for breast cancer spread to the

regional lymph nodes. These data indicate that, in 10

years, there may be two to three extra cases of breast cancer per 1000 women

who used estradiol for 5 years or more. No increased risk was noted in the

vaginal-estrogen group, nor in the much smaller estriol group. Comment:

Although it is still unclear whether estrogen alone increases the risk for

breast cancer in postmenopausal women, these data suggest that it is best to

advise estrogen users that the risk may be increased, although modestly. —

W. Rebar, MD Published in Journal Watch General Medicine January 18,

2007 Citation(s): Lyytinen H et al. Breast cancer risk in postmenopausal

women using estrogen-only therapy. Obstet Gynecol 2006 Dec; 108:1354-60.

[Original article][Medline abstract]

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

I use a precursor to estrogen. Its absortion to the bloodstream is less them

0.1%. It has been helping me a lot with the vaginal dryness and atrophy. It is

nto the same as before, but well...

FYI - Estrogen Use and Breast Cancer Article in

" Journal Watch "

My oncologist said I could use as little vaginal estrogen cream as I needed to

that would do the job (treat vaginal atrophy and dryness). This article didn't

find any increased risk with it, but did with other formulations. Ellie

Published in Journal Watch General Medicine January 18, 2007 Does Estrogen-Only

Postmenopausal Therapy Increase Breast Cancer Risk? Finnish researchers looked

for the answer among women taking oral or transdermal estradiol, oral estriol,

or vaginal estrogens.

No evidence of increased risk for breast cancer was found in the estrogen-only

arm of the Women’s Health Initiative, yet some uncertainty remains because

several retrospective studies had positive findings (Journal Watch Apr 25 2006).

In this study, investigators examined national registry data from all 110,984

Finnish women older than 50 who used oral or transdermal estradiol, oral

estriol, or vaginal estrogens for at least 6 months during 1994–2001. All had

undergone hysterectomies, and none used progestogens. In follow-up through 2002,

2171 cases of breast cancer were identified. Estradiol use, either orally or

transdermally, for 5 years or more was associated with a 1.44-fold increased

risk for breast cancer. The risk increased with dose for oral but not

transdermal estradiol. Moreover, estradiol use was associated with increased

risk for in situ and localized cancer and for breast cancer spread to the

regional lymph nodes. These data indicate that, in 10

years, there may be two to three extra cases of breast cancer per 1000 women who

used estradiol for 5 years or more. No increased risk was noted in the

vaginal-estrogen group, nor in the much smaller estriol group. Comment: Although

it is still unclear whether estrogen alone increases the risk for breast cancer

in postmenopausal women, these data suggest that it is best to advise estrogen

users that the risk may be increased, although modestly. — W. Rebar, MD

Published in Journal Watch General Medicine January 18, 2007 Citation(s):

Lyytinen H et al. Breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women using estrogen-only

therapy. Obstet Gynecol 2006 Dec; 108:1354-60.

[Original article][Medline abstract]

------------ --------- --------- ---

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[Guest guest]

Thanks, , never heard of the precursor. Is it a prescription drug?

Ellie

7. Re: FYI - Estrogen Use and Breast Cancer Article in " Journal Watch "

Posted by: " Pinheiro " denisempinheiro@...

denisempinheiro

Date: Sun Feb 4, 2007 7:35 am ((PST))

I use a precursor to estrogen. Its absortion to the bloodstream is less

them 0.1%. It has been helping me a lot with the vaginal dryness and

atrophy. It is nto the same as before, but well...

---------------------------------

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in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q&A.

[Guest guest]

Hi Ellie,

I don't know the name of the medication in US. Here, in Europe and other

countries it is known as Colpotrophine and the active ingredient is promestriene

1%.

My doctor suggested to use every other day. I am not very religious about it,

but when I do, things get much better, including less problems with Candida

infections.

Hugs

Re: FYI - Estrogen Use and Breast Cancer Article in

" Journal Watch "

Thanks, , never heard of the precursor. Is it a prescription drug?

Ellie

7. Re: FYI - Estrogen Use and Breast Cancer Article in " Journal Watch "

Posted by: " Pinheiro " denisempinheiro@ yahoo.com

denisempinheiro

Date: Sun Feb 4, 2007 7:35 am ((PST))

I use a precursor to estrogen. Its absortion to the bloodstream is less

them 0.1%. It has been helping me a lot with the vaginal dryness and

atrophy. It is nto the same as before, but well...

------------ --------- --------- ---

Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate

in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q&A.