Open AccessHormones and breast cancer: can we use them in ways that could reduce the risk?
Author(s) -
Khalid Mahmud
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
oncology reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.637
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 1970-5565
pISSN - 1970-5557
DOI - 10.4081/oncol.2008.146
Subject(s) - medicine , breast cancer , hormone , testosterone (patch) , melatonin , endocrinology , estrogen , cancer , insulin resistance , dehydroepiandrosterone , transdermal , insulin , physiology , oncology , androgen , pharmacology
Many hormones promote or inhibit breast cancer in different ways. These effects and the mechanisms involved are reviewed in order to suggest a potentially safer use of hormones. Natural estrogens, administered transdermally, and natural progesterone may be the safest combination of female hormones. Increased intake of cruciferous vegetables could provide additional safety by improving 2-hydoxyestrone and diminishing 16 alphahydroxyestrone. Testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) may directly inhibit breast cancer, but could potentially stimulate it by being aromatized into estrogen in the breast. Modest doses with blood level monitoring appear logical. Melatonin and oxytocin are inhibitory to breast and other cancers. Insulin is a growth factor for breast cancer. Managing insulin resistance before the onset of diabetes could reduce the risk. Tri-iodothyronine (T3) has multiple anti-breast cancer effects. Synthroid may not increase T3 levels adequately. Human growth hormone does not appear to increase risk; but it should not be given for performance enhancement