Epidemiology

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A retrospective case–control study of the use of hormone-related supplements and association with breast cancer

  1. Timothy R. Rebbeck1,2,†,*,
  2. Andrea B. Troxel1,2,
  3. Sandra Norman1,2,
  4. Greta R. Bunin1,2,3,
  5. Angela DeMichele1,2,4,
  6. Mona Baumgarten5,
  7. Michelle Berlin6,
  8. Rita Schinnar1,
  9. Brian L. Strom1,2,4

Article first published online: 4 JAN 2007

DOI: 10.1002/ijc.22485

Issue

International Journal of Cancer

International Journal of Cancer

Volume 120, Issue 7, pages 1523–1528, 1 April 2007

Additional Information

How to Cite

Rebbeck, T. R., Troxel, A. B., Norman, S., Bunin, G. R., DeMichele, A., Baumgarten, M., Berlin, M., Schinnar, R. and Strom, B. L. (2007), A retrospective case–control study of the use of hormone-related supplements and association with breast cancer. Int. J. Cancer, 120: 1523–1528. doi: 10.1002/ijc.22485

Author Information

  1. 1

    Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

  2. 2

    Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

  3. 3

    Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

  4. 4

    Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

  5. 5

    Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD

  6. 6

    Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Women's Health, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR

  1. †

    Fax: +1215-573-2265.

*Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

  1. †

    Fax: +1215-573-2265.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 30 JAN 2007
  2. Article first published online: 4 JAN 2007
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 13 OCT 2006
  4. Manuscript Received: 13 JUL 2006

Funded by

  • National Institutes of Health. Grant Number: P01-CA77596

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Keywords:

  • breast cancer;
  • prevention;
  • complementary alternative medicine

Abstract

Hormone-related supplements (HRS), many of which contain phytoestrogens, are widely used to manage menopausal symptoms, yet their relationship with breast cancer risk has generally not been evaluated. We evaluated whether use of HRS was associated with breast cancer risk, using a population-based case–control study in 3 counties of the Philadelphia metropolitan area consisting of 949 breast cancer cases and 1,524 controls. Use of HRS varied significantly by race, with African American women being more likely than European American women to use any herbal preparation (19.2% vs. 14.7%, p = 0.003) as well as specific preparations including black cohosh (5.4% vs. 2.0%, p = 0.003), ginseng (12.5% vs. 7.9%, p < 0.001) and red clover (4.7% vs. 0.6%, p < 0.001). Use of black cohosh had a significant breast cancer protective effect (adjusted odds ratio 0.39, 95% CI: 0.22–0.70). This association was similar among women who reported use of either black cohosh or Remifemin (an herbal preparation derived from black cohosh; adjusted odds ratio 0.47, 95% CI: 0.27–0.82). The literature reports that black cohosh may be effective in treating menopausal symptoms, and has antiestrogenic, antiproliferative and antioxidant properties. Additional confirmatory studies are required to determine whether black cohosh could be used to prevent breast cancer. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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