Sex hormones raise risk of breast cancer

Post-menopausal women with elevated levels of oestrogen and testosterone have a higher risk of developing breast cancer

The study, published in Breast Cancer Research, ranked over 800 women according to their hormone levels and their individual breast cancer risk. Women who had higher oestrogen or androgen levels had approximately double the usual post-menopausal breast cancer risk with each of the various sex and growth hormones increasing the risk of breast cancer by 16% when their levels were elevated.

Oestrogen was found to have the biggest effect on the risk of breast cancer as these hormones stimulate the growth of cancer cells. Future research should consider the impact of preventing rising levels of sex hormones to prevent this increase of risk.

A type of steroid hormone that stimulates male development. Testosterone is an androgen. Full medical glossary
Abnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. Full medical glossary
The basic unit of all living organisms. Full medical glossary
A substance produced by a gland in one part of the body and carried by the blood to the organs or tissues where it has an effect. Full medical glossary
Relating to the menopause, the time of a woman’s life when her ovaries stop releasing an egg (ovum) on a monthly cycle. Full medical glossary
A hormone involved in female sexual development, produced by the ovaries. Full medical glossary
After the menopause - technically only once a woman has had no menstrual period for one year. Full medical glossary
The main male sex hormone. Full medical glossary