The Link between Hormones and Breast Cancer

Posted by Cancer Center Las Colinas on July 1st, 2019

As with various types of cancer, the cases of breast cancer vary from one person to the other. For example, breast tumor behaviour could get unpredictable and complicated, and the breast cancer treatment administered to a patient, and possible outcomes majorly depends on the breast cancer cells’ makeup.

Breast cancer and hormones

Like the normal, healthy cells, certain breast tumors have receptors for estrogen and progesterone hormones that send signals to the cells where they enhance constant growth. It’s estimated that two in three breast tumors have hormone receptors.

• Progesterone-receptor-positive tumors receive signals from progesterone and can grow under the exposure of progesterone.

• Estrogen-receptor-positive tumors receive signals from estrogen and their exposure to estrogen enhances growth.

Breast cancer tumors without receptors for progesterone or estrogen are referred to as receptor negative. Hormone therapy is the common treatment for receptor positive tumors. This treatment approach can help reduce the amounts of progesterone and estrogen in the body. It can also block hormones so they don’t continue signalling constant cell growth in the tumors.

Hormone related risk for breast cancer and prevention

Although some breast cancer cases can be hereditary and originate from particular gene mutations, including the BRCA2 and BRCA1 genes, hereditary and genetic factors usually account for about 5 to 10 percent of all the diagnoses of breast cancer.

Because of the connection between estrogen and specific breast cancer types, women should be versed with certain lifestyle modifications and risk factors to help them mitigate breast cancer risks accordingly. 

Factors like the age at which women start their menstruation or menopause may increase the risk of breast cancer. Earlier menstruation and later menopause can expose a woman’s body to estrogen for extended durations, thus increasing the risk of breast cancer. Besides, hormone therapy, including progesterone and estrogen, has the potential to increase the risk of breast cancer in women.

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At Las Colinas Cancer Center, a Choice Cancer Care Treatment Center, our team is committed to providing the personalized, compassionate treatment that can make all the difference in cancer care.