A new registry-based study sheds light on patient factors that may influence risk of breast cancer associated with use of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT)-including race, weight, and breast density. Findings from the report, published in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute, suggest the greatest association between HRT use and breast cancer in women with low/normal body mass index (BMI) and extremely dense breasts.
A new registry-based study sheds light on patient factors that may influence risk of breast cancer associated with use of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT)-including race, weight, and breast density. Findings from the report, published in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute, suggest the greatest association between HRT use and breast cancer in women with low/normal body mass index (BMI) and extremely dense breasts.
Data for the study, by researchers from the University of Chicago, were from the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium, a longitudinal registry of mammography screening in the United States. The analysis included 164,824 screening mammograms from 9300 breast cancer cases in postmenopausal women aged 45 and older. Missing data on HRT use and other covariables were accommodated by using multiple imputation methods.
The researchers used logistic regression to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for breast cancer associated with HRT use and stratify it by race/ethnicity, age, BMI, and breast density. Two-way interaction terms between HRT use and each key covariable of interest were part of the computations. P values for possible interactions were computed from Wald z statistics and all statistical tests were two-sided.
Use of HRT was associated with >20% increased risk of breast cancer in white (OR=1.21; 95% CI = 1.14-1.28), Asian (OR=1.58; 95% CI = 1.18-2.11), and Hispanic women (OR=1.35; 95% CI=1.09-1.67) but not black women (OR=0.91; 95% CI = 0.72-1.14). The highest risk of breast cancer with HRT use was seen in women with low/normal BMI and extremely dense breasts (OR=1.48; 95% CI = 1.21=1.83) compared with nonusers. No excess risk of breast cancer was associated with HRT use in overweight/obese women with less-dense breasts (adjusted ORs=0.96-1.03). Risk stratification, the researchers concluded, could be of help to clinicians in counseling women about use of HRT for menopausal symptoms.
To get weekly advice for today's Ob/Gyn, subscribe to the Contemporary Ob/Gyn Special Delivery.
Postmenopausal urinary incontinence treatment data found lacking
May 6th 2024Discover the findings of a comprehensive study exploring the efficacy of various treatments for postmenopausal urinary incontinence, shedding light on the current research gap and recommending avenues for future investigation.
Read More
Pioglitazone outperforms metformin in IVF for PCOS-related infertility
May 6th 2024A recent double-blind, randomized clinical trial revealed a higher clinical pregnancy rate with pioglitazone compared to metformin in polycystic ovarian syndrome patients undergoing in vitro fertilization, suggesting potential for improved outcomes.
Read More
Study links premature menopause to musculoskeletal pain and sarcopenia risks
May 1st 2024A recent study revealed an association between premature menopause and increased risks of musculoskeletal pain and sarcopenia, emphasizing the potential benefits of hormone therapy in mitigating long-term effects.
Read More
Advancing obstetric and gynecologic surgery through robotic innovation
April 30th 2024Explore how robotic surgery revolutionizes obstetric and gynecologic procedures, offering enhanced precision, reduced complications, and improved patient outcomes, while also examining challenges and future prospects in the field.
Read More