A meta-analysis of the effect of estrogen replacement therapy on the risk of breast cancer

Article Abstract:

Estrogen replacement therapy relieves menopausal symptoms, slows bone loss, and may protect against heart disease and reduce overall mortality. For these reasons, there was a 43 percent increase in prescriptions filled for estrogen in the United States between 1980 and 1986, from 14 million to 20 million prescriptions. However, the relationship between estrogen replacement therapy and breast cancer is not clear, and studies have reported conflicting results. To explore this issue, data were combined from 16 studies using meta-analysis, a statistical technique. Breast cancer risk was found to increase significantly with duration of estrogen use, beginning after five years of use. However, estrogen replacement therapy reduces the risk of ischemic heart disease and osteoporosis (loss of bone mass), two common causes of illness and death among older women. The mortality from heart disease is about four times that of breast cancer. Because of the benefits of estrogen replacement therapy, some experts believe that all women should be considered for it after menopause. Although the benefits may outweigh the risks, this study shows a small but significant increase in breast cancer risk with long-term estrogen therapy, representing a large number of preventable breast cancer cases. Based on an estimated 30 percent increase in breast cancer risk after 15 years of estrogen treatment for three million women, there would be 4,708 new cases of breast cancer and 1,468 breast cancer deaths each year. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

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The postmenopausal estrogen/breast cancer controversy

Article Abstract:

The association between estrogen replacement therapy and an increased risk of breast cancer is controversial. A review of 24 studies revealed that some found an increased risk of breast cancer in women taking estrogen, but others did not. Three meta-analyses on the topic were also reviewed. Only one found an increased risk, but it contained many European studies that accounted for most of the increase. Different estrogen preparations used in Europe may explain this difference. Detection bias may also explain some of the variations in these studies. Women who use estrogen may visit the doctor more often and participate in screening programs such as mammography. Thus, their cancer may be detected at an earlier stage. In fact, studies that have controlled for this detection bias have found no increased risk of breast cancer in women who use estrogen, except in women who have other risk factors for the disease.

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Meat consumption and risk of colorectal cancer

Article Abstract:

A study is conducted to examine the relationship between recent and long-term meat consumption and the risk of incident colon and rectal cancer. The results provide evidence that prolonged high consumption of red and processed meat may increase the risk of cancer in the distal portion of the large intestine.

United States, Animal Slaughtering and Processing, Meat Products, Meat Incl Poultry, Meat, Colorectal cancer, Colon cancer

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