Hormone Therapy Nearly Doubles Lung Cancer Risks

Study links 'colossal' reduction in cancer to women skipping estrogen

(NEWSER) - Researchers are linking a dramatic drop in the number of breast cancer cases to the decline in estrogen consumption by menopausal women. Women dropped hormone replacement therapy en mass after a 2002 study tied it to breast cancer risk. Other scientists argued that the decline—about 16,000 fewer new cases per year—may have other causes. More»

(AP) - Being fat could become the leading cause of cancer in women in Western countries in the coming years, say European researchers. Being overweight or obese accounts for up to 8% of cancers in Europe. That figure is poised to increase substantially as the obesity epidemic continues, and as major causes of cancer, such as smoking, drop. Colorectal cancer, breast cancer in menopausal women, and endometrial cancer accounted for 65% of all cancers linked to being fat. More»

(NEWSER) - Finally, some good news for migraine sufferers: Those awful headaches come with a reduced risk of breast cancer, according to a new study. The researchers aren’t sure why that would be the case, but they suspect a connection with estrogen and other hormones. “It’s pretty clear that migraine, like breast cancer, is a hormonally related disease,” said one. “Many triggers for migraine are also things that reduce estrogen levels.” More»

Even casual drinking heightens breast cancer risk 3-fold, researchers say

(NEWSER) - Postmenopausal women who drink casually while taking hormones will raise their chance of getting breast cancer, researchers said today. A Danish study of 5,000 women showed that those on estrogen and other hormones increased breast cancer risk three-fold by downing one or two drinks a day; a third drink or more raised the risk by almost 5 times. More»

Aromatase inhibitors work after tamoxifen regimen ends

(NEWSER) - New research shows that women can cut the risk of breast cancer recurring years later by taking certain drugs, the Washington Post reports. Studies show that the drugs, known as aromatase inhibitors, sharply reduced the risk of cancer's return after women had finished their regimen of the widely used tamoxifen. The findings could dramatically change the treatments breast cancer survivors are given. More»