A large U.S. study has found that older breast cancer patients who use estrogen creams to treat menopause symptoms live longer. Contrary to past fears, the hormone creams were not linked to worse outcomes. Instead, they were associated with better survival rates.
The study focused on postmenopausal breast cancer survivors who used vaginal estrogen creams. These creams help relieve symptoms like vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse. Many breast cancer survivors avoid them, worried that the hormones might fuel cancer growth.
Researchers analyzed data from 18,620 women aged 65 and older diagnosed with breast cancer between 2010 and 2017. Among them, 800 used vaginal estrogen creams. After adjusting for factors like race, cancer stage, and treatment, the study found that estrogen cream users had a significantly lower risk of cancer progression, recurrence, or death.
On average, those using estrogen creams had a 47% lower risk of dying from breast cancer and a 44% lower risk of death from any cause during the study. Even patients with hormone-sensitive tumors saw a 38% lower risk of death from any cause. Using the creams for more than seven years appeared to offer extra survival benefits.
The researchers said these findings support a growing view that local hormone therapy is safe for breast cancer survivors and may improve survival.
In a separate study, researchers found that cannabis use does not worsen outcomes for cancer patients receiving immunotherapy drugs like Merck’s Keytruda or Bristol Myers Squibb’s Opdivo. These drugs, known as immune checkpoint inhibitors, help the immune system fight cancer.
The study, presented at the same conference, included 1,666 mostly advanced cancer patients starting immunotherapy. About 17% regularly used cannabis. Over a follow-up period of up to 31 months, cannabis users showed no difference in survival or complication-free survival compared to non-users.
Dr. Song Yao of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, who led the study, said cannabis is known to suppress the immune system in lab studies, raising concerns it might interfere with immunotherapy. However, this study found no evidence that cannabis reduces the effectiveness of these treatments.
While the researchers do not recommend that patients start using cannabis if they are not already, they say patients who use it to manage symptoms or side effects can continue without fear of harming their immunotherapy outcomes.
Dr. Yao cautioned that these findings apply only to immune checkpoint inhibitors and not other cancer treatments. He also stressed that immunocompromised patients should discuss cannabis use with their doctors and use it cautiously, as it may increase infection risk or interfere with other medications.
Related topics:
- Estrogen Creams for Anti-Aging: Hype or Help?
- 10 Symptoms Of Low Estrogen After Menopause
- How Does Estrogen Help With Menopause?
