Monday, 30 June, 2025
NIH studies can help direct clinical recommendations for the use of hormone therapy in women under 55 years of age.
Scientists at the National Institute of Health (NIH) have found that two common types of hormone therapy may change the risk of breast cancer in women before the age of 55. Researchers found that women were treated with unopposed estrogen hormone therapy (E-HT), who were less likely to develop diseases than those who did not use hormone therapy. He also found that women treated with estrogen plus progestin hormone therapy (EP-HT) had more likely to develop breast cancer than women who did not use hormone therapy. Together, these results can help direct clinical recommendations for the use of hormone therapy among young women.
The two hormone therapy analyzed in the study is often used to manage menopause related symptoms or to manage symptoms related to hysterectomy (uterine removal) or offorectomy (one or both ovary removal). The unopposed estrogen therapy is recommended only for women who had hysterectomy due to the relationship known with the risk of uterine cancer.
“Hormone therapy can improve the quality of life for women who experience symptoms of severe menopause, or who have undergone surgery affecting their hormone levels for women who experience their hormone levels,” said Katie O’BD, the lead author of NIH’s National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (Niehs). “Our study provides more understanding of the risks associated with a variety of hormone therapy, which we hope that patients and their doctors will help develop more informed treatment plans.”
Researchers performed a large -scale analysis, including data of over 459,000 women under 55 years of age in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Women who used e-HT had a 14% decrease in the incidence of breast cancer compared to those who never used hormone therapy. In particular, this protective effect was more pronounced among women who started e-HT at young age or who used it. In contrast, women using EP-HT experienced a 10% higher rate of breast cancer than non-usefuls, with women using EP-HT for more than two years, which never used therapy.
According to the authors, it suggests that for EP-HT users, the cumulative risk of breast cancer before the age of 55 can be around 4.5%, compared to 4.1% risk for women who have never used hormone therapy and 3.6% risk for those using hormone therapy. In addition, the relationship between EP-HT and breast cancer was especially elevated in women who did not pass through a hysterctomy or oopractomy. Researchers stated that when evaluating the risks of starting hormone therapy, the importance of considering the condition of gynecological surgery was highlighted.
“These findings underline the need for personal medical advice when considering hormone therapy,” Niehs scientist and senior writer del Sandler, Ph.D. “Women and their health care providers should weigh the benefits of symptomatic relief against hormone therapy, especially the potential risks associated with EP-HT. For women with an intact uterus and ovaries, the rising risk of breast cancer with eP-AT should carefully consult.”
The authors mentioned that their study corresponds to the last major studies that documentation of similar unions between older and postmenopausal women between hormone therapy and breast cancer risk. This new study delivers the findings to young women who provide the necessary evidence to help women make decisions because they undergo menopause.
About National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (Niehs): Niehs supports research to understand the impacts of the environment on human health and is part of the National Institute of Health. For more information about niehs or environmental health topics, travel www.niehs.nih.gov Or subscribe to one News list,
About National Institute of Health (NIH): NIH, the country’s medical research agency, includes 27 institutions and centers and is a component of the US Health and Human Services Department. NIH is the primary federal agency that is conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments and treatment for both common and rare diseases. For more information about Nih and its programs, travel www.nih.gov,
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Reference
O’Brien, K., et al. “Use of hormone therapy and young-inflicted breast cancer: a pool of potential colleagues involved in premenopausal breast cancer collaborative group.” Lancet oncol 2025; 26: 911–23.
