Can Estrogen Increase Your Risk of Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer risk may increase as a result of high levels of estrogen or prolonged exposure throughout one’s life. Nonetheless, there are measures you can take to decrease your overall risk.

Estrogen is not always harmful and is a crucial element in human growth. Nevertheless, in some instances, excessive estrogen exposure throughout one’s life may lead to an increased risk of developing breast cancer. This article examines estrogen more closely, highlighting when and why it may raise the risk of breast cancer, as well as steps that can be taken to lower this risk.

What role does estrogen play in the human body?

Estrogen is a female reproductive hormone primarily produced by the ovaries, skin, and fat tissues. It’s also responsible for helping the human body develop female sexual characteristics. In particular, estrogen plays a role in the following:

  • the development of breast, vulva, and vaginal tissues
  • assisting in pregnancy and contraception
  • bone density and development
  • cholesterol regulation

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How does estrogen increase your risk of breast cancer?

In some cases, doctors may prescribe estrogen for:

  • pregnancy prevention
  • moderate acne
  • female hypogonadism
  • advanced prostate cancer
  • menopause symptom relief

Estrogen is a vital physiological requirement for individuals assigned male or female at birth. Nevertheless, excessive amounts of this hormone can be detrimental and may even elevate the likelihood of developing breast cancer.

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Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

If you were assigned female at birth and are postmenopausal, taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to help with symptoms of menopause might put you at an increased risk. HRT, also known as menopausal hormone therapy, can be prescribed to alleviate symptoms like night sweats, mood changes, and hot flashes that impact your quality of life. However, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of HRT carefully because of the risk of breast cancer.

According to the National Cancer Institute, estrogen-only HRT could raise your risk of breast cancer, and stopping the medication won’t decrease that risk. Similarly, combining estrogen-progestin in HRT could also increase your risk, but it may decrease slightly once you stop taking it.

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Other estrogen-related factors

While HRT may increase your risk of breast cancer, other factors can increase your estrogen exposure and subsequent cancer risk. These include:

  • taking oral contraceptives (although more studies are needed)
  • diethylstilbestrol use during pregnancy (prevalent between 1940 and 1971)
  • early menstruation
  • late onset of menopause
  • not having given birth
  • the first birth at an older age

What are the non-estrogen-related risk factors of breast cancer?

In addition to estrogen exposure, other factors can increase your chances of developing breast cancer throughout your lifetime. It’s important to note that having any of these risk factors does not guarantee that you will develop cancer. Still, it may be beneficial to consult with a doctor or healthcare professional to reduce your overall risk.

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Overweight and obesity

Did you know excessive weight can increase your risk of developing breast cancer? This is especially true for postmenopausal women. Fat tissue can store and release estrogen, leading to higher estrogen levels. Furthermore, too much body fat can cause insulin levels to rise, increasing the risk of developing breast cancer.

Lack of physical activity

Engaging in regular exercise can not only help you maintain a healthy weight but also reduce your chances of developing breast cancer. Research suggests that physical activity can regulate hormone levels and curb inflammation, contributing to a lower risk of breast cancer. If you are postmenopausal, aiming for approximately 300 minutes (5 hours) of moderate exercise each week is recommended.

Drinking alcohol

The American Cancer Society (ACS) advises individuals assigned female at birth to limit their alcohol consumption to one serving per day or none when discussing breast cancer. Drinking alcohol in excess can increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer. Consuming one drink per day can increase the risk by 7 to 10%, while consuming 2 to 3 drinks daily can elevate the risk by 20%.

We are not having children or breastfeeding.

Evidence suggests that having children significantly before age 35 can lower the risk of developing breast cancer. Breastfeeding can also slightly reduce the risk due to having fewer menstrual cycles throughout one’s lifetime, resulting in decreased estrogen exposure.

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Other possible risk factors

Additionally, the ACS outlines other possible risk factors of breast cancer that are “unclear,” meaning that more research is needed to determine whether such factors contribute to this particular type of cancer. These include:

  • a high-fat diet
  • environmental chemicals such as plastics and pesticides
  • shifts in melatonin and other hormones because of nightshift work
  • secondhand smoke exposure
  • Exposure to radiation, such as that of chest X-rays (especially before the age of 20), can increase breast cancer risk for women with inherited changes in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.s

What can you do to prevent breast cancer?

While there’s no single cancer prevention method, you can take steps to lower your risk of developing breast cancer. The ACS recommends that you:

  • achieve and keep a moderate weight
  • limit (or avoid) alcohol
  • get at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate exercise per week
  • talk with a doctor about genetic counseling if breast cancer runs in your family
  • consider preventive surgeries (such as breast or ovary removal) or estrogen-blocking medications as recommended by a doctor if you’re deemed high risk

ACS screening recommendations

Breast cancer screening recommendations from the ACS for people assigned female at birth are as follows:

  • Those between 40 and 44 can start screening with a mammogram every year.
  • Those 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year.
  • Those 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year or choose to continue yearly mammograms. Screening should continue as long as a person is in good health and is expected to live at least ten more years.

A comprehensive understanding of the mammogram procedure for breast cancer screening, including its limitations, is crucial. You should seek advice from a healthcare professional to identify the suitable screening options that meet your requirements.

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Frequently asked questions about estrogen and breast cancer

What type of breast cancer is caused by estrogen?

Breast cancer can be influenced by estrogen, specifically hormone-sensitive breast cancers. A doctor may take a small tissue sample to determine if your breast cancer is estrogen receptor-positive. It’s believed that around 80% of females and 90% of males with breast cancer have estrogen receptor-positive tumors. If you are diagnosed with this type of breast cancer, you may require a unique form of hormone therapy that impedes the effects of estrogen. One such therapy is selective estrogen receptor modulators like tamoxifen.

How much estrogen increases your risk of breast cancer?

The dosage of estrogen prescribed varies depending on its purpose. While no specific number is linked to the onset of breast cancer, extended exposure to estrogen increases the likelihood of developing the disease.

Does estrogen make breast cancer grow?

Research suggests estrogen plays a role in developing hormone-sensitive forms of breast cancer. Suppose you are diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer that is estrogen receptor-positive. In that case, it indicates that your cancer cells contain specific proteins that could trigger activation when estrogen binds to them.

Do the benefits of HRT outweigh the risk of breast cancer?

Whether to take Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) depends on your risk of developing breast cancer. A recent 2021 review found that people with a low risk before starting HRT for menopausal symptoms had less than a 3% chance of developing breast cancer within five years. However, it is not recommended for those at high risk. It is best to consult a doctor to assess the potential benefits and risks of taking hormones to relieve menopausal symptoms. To learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of HRT, seek further information.

Takeaway

Exposure to estrogen throughout your life can raise your chances of developing breast cancer, particularly if you are exposed to it through medication or your surroundings. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that not all individuals exposed to excessive amounts of estrogen will develop breast cancer. You should consult with a medical professional to learn about your risk factors for breast cancer, such as family history. They can advise on preventative measures and discuss the importance of regular screenings to detect cancer early.

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